Driver jailed 4 years for stealing pharmacist’s taxi

 A 51-year-old driver, Chris­tian Kwaku Appiah, has been sentenced to four years in prison by the  Accra Circuit Court for stealing a taxi during a test drive at Nungua.

In addition to his prison sentence, Appiah was fined GH¢2,400, failure to pay the fine would result in an additional 12 months of hard labor.

Appiah, who initially pleaded not guilty, later changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before Judge Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, leading to his conviction.

Chief Inspector Wisdom Alor­wu, prosecuting, said that the com­plainant, Kwaku Darko, a pharma­cist, from Teshie-Nungua Estates, had advertised his Chevrolet taxi with registration number GT 4443-16 for sale, embossing his contact (information) on the vehicle.

On January 14, 2024, Appiah expressed interest in purchasing the taxi, and requested a test drive before making any payment, the court heard.

Chief Insp Alorwu stated that the complainant asked his driver, a witness in the case, to under­take the test drive together with Appiah, which took place near the Nungua Police Station.

The prosecution said while driving, Appiah claimed the vehicle was emitting too much smoke from the exhaust.

Chief Insp Alorwu further indicated that when the driver stepped out of the vehicle to ascertain the claim, Appiah jumped onto the driver’s seat and sped off with the taxi.

The court heard that as Appiah drove away, he insulted Darko’s driver, waved at him, and said “Kwasia, Bye-bye,” which trans­lates to “Foolish goodbye.”

Chief Insp Alorwu noted that the witness raised the alarm and with the assistance of some bystanders and the police, Appi­ah was apprehended at Nungua Addogono while driving the stolen vehicle.

The prosecution said at the police station, Appiah confessed to the crime in his caution statement