Two friends have been remanded into prison custody by the Asante Abuakwa Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region for allegedly robbing two brothers at Abuakwa-Sepaase, also in the municipality.

Albert Mensah, 18, unemployed, and Bismark Yeboah, an excavator operator’s apprentice, also 18, pleaded not guilty and will return before the court on September 12 this year.

Police Chief Inspector Evans Ayimbisa, prosecuting, told the court, presided over by Jephthah Appau, that Mensah and Yeboah are friends who reside at Sepaase and Adwafo, respectively, while the complainants, Alex Duah and Blessing Duah, are both tilers and tricycle (Pragyia) riders residing at Sepaase.

He said on August 18, at about midnight, the Duah brothers were discussing the fare with two ladies who wanted to hire their tricycle services to Abuakwa.

According to the prosecution, the accused approached the scene, demanded the victims’ mobile phones, and suddenly attacked Blessing, seizing his iPhone 11 Pro Max valued at GH¢2,600 and GH¢800 in cash. They then attempted to rob Alex, but Blessing intervened. Mensah allegedly pulled a kitchen knife and stabbed Alex in the back, leaving a deep cut, before both fled.

Some people nearby heard the victim screaming and rushed him to the Abuakwa Polyclinic. He was later transferred to Kwadaso SDA Hospital, where he was admitted for two days, treated, and discharged.

Mensah was arrested at his house in Sepaase, and Yeboah was handed over to the police by his relatives. In their caution statements, both men admitted to the crime. After further investigations, they were charged and brought before the court.