Two police officers in court for abetting to steal 16 rifles

Two lance corporals have been put before an Accra circuit court for allegedly abetting to steal 16 CZ assault rifles belonging to the Ghana Police Service.

Lance Corporals William Atia Asitanga, 32, and Sulemana Zanya Abdul-Rahman, 27, have been charged with abetment of crime, namely stealing.

Asitanga is facing an additional charge of stealing rifles.

They pleaded not guilty before the trial judge, Mrs Evelyn Asamoah.

The court has, however, remanded them into lawful custody.

Meanwhile, prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, said the police have been able to retrieve some of the weapons, and prayed the court to give them some time to conclude investigations to file their disclosures.

The court obliged prosecution's prayers and adjourned the matter to September 10, 2025.

The facts before the court are that the Ghana Police Service is the complainant in the case.

Prosecution said Asitanga was stationed at the National Counter Terrorism Department, Accra and doubled as the Armourer in charge of arms and ammunitions at the Department.

Abdul-Rahman was also stationed at Ashwa in the Bekwai District in the Ashanti Region.

In March 2024, internal audit was conducted, which revealed that 16 CZ assault rifles were missing.

Asitanga, in charge of the Armoury, could not account for the rifles hence investigations commenced.

Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of the two accused persons, who are assisting in investigations.

GNA