Driver charged with trafficking illicit ammunition in Volta region to reappear in court

Salifu Jalilu, 38, was arraigned before the Denu Circuit Court in the Volta region today for allegedly transporting illicit ammunition from the Republic of Benin to Accra.

According to the Volta Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Felix Danku, the suspect appeared before the court, but his plea was not taken.

“Today, the suspect, Salifu Jalilu, appeared before the Denu Circuit Court on a charge of illicit trafficking in ammunition. His plea was not taken. The police prosecutors requested that he be remanded into police custody to assist with further investigations,” DSP Danku stated.

The court, presided over by His Honour Judge Joseph Ofosu-Behome, granted the prosecution’s request and ordered that the accused be remanded into police custody.

He is to reappear in court on Wednesday, 7 May.

Background

On Friday, April 18, a bus travelling from Benin to Accra was stopped during a routine security check by police officers stationed at the Tadzewu-Mitsrikasa Police Barrier in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region.

A significant quantity of illegal ammunition was intercepted during the operation, raising concerns over potential arms trafficking.

According to the Volta Regional Police Command, the ammunition seized included 60 cartons of AAA cartridges, containing 15,000 rounds, and 72 cartons of BB cartridges, containing 18,000 rounds.

Two drivers were questioned, and it was discovered that the consignment had been loaded onto the bus by Salifu without the knowledge of the second driver, Abasou Fuseini.

Salifu was arrested and taken to the Regional Police Command.

The second driver, Abasou, was granted bail and permitted to continue transporting the bus, with registration number GR 8246-Q, and its passengers to their destination in Accra.

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