Five in court over fuel theft and arson scheme

An Accra High Court charged five individuals for allegedly stealing GH¢834,300 fuel belonging to A-Bek Company Limited. The accused include drivers Bashiru Mohammed and Isaac Donkor, driver’s mate Abdellah Dauda, and businessman Yaw Gerald. However, the first accused, Alhaji Iddrisu, failed to appear in court, prompting the judge, Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Additionally, two other suspects, identified as Alhaji and Kofi Adu, remain at large.

According to the prosecution, all accused except Gerald met in Kasse, near Ahodwo in the Ashanti Region, and conspired to divert diesel meant for the Buipe BOST Depot. Instead of delivering the consignment, they allegedly planned to sell it and later stage an accident by driving the tanker off-road and setting it ablaze to cover their tracks.

Iddrisu, Mohammed (alias Gambo), Donkor, Alhaji, and Kofi Adu have been charged with conspiracy to steal 54,000 litres of diesel, while Iddrisu and Dauda face additional charges for theft. The group, excluding Dauda and Gerald, is also accused of conspiring to destroy a DAF Tanker Trailer valued at GH¢730,000. Mohammed has an additional charge for deliberately setting the vehicle on fire.

During the court hearing, the present accused persons, except Iddrisu, Alhaji, and Kofi Adu, pleaded not guilty. The judge granted bail to four of the accused at GH¢300,000 each, requiring two sureties who must justify their assets. They are also required to report to the police on the first Tuesday of every month.

The prosecution detailed that in 2024, A-Bek Company Limited assigned a fuel tanker to Iddrisu, Mohammed, and Donkor for deliveries from Tema BOST to various depots, including Buipe. However, instead of fulfilling their duty, they allegedly schemed to sell 40,500 litres of diesel to Gerald at GH¢13 per litre, below the market price of GH¢15.27 per litre.

On December 30, 2024, the fuel was sold for GH¢526,500. Following this, the accused proceeded towards Buipe but, upon reaching Bono Manso in the Savannah Region, Mohammed drove the tanker into a cashew farm and set it on fire, later reporting it as an accident.

A-Bek Company Limited suspected foul play and reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of five suspects. Investigations revealed that Iddrisu used his GH¢200,000 share of the stolen funds to purchase an unregistered Toyota Camry worth GH¢150,000, along with an 85-inch Samsung TV and a home theatre system. Donkor used his GH¢50,000 cut to buy a Toyota Vitz taxi, while Mohammed received GH¢80,000. Dauda, who received GH¢70,000, bought a Toyota Matiz, and the fugitive suspects, Alhaji and Kofi Adu, each pocketed GH¢63,250.

Authorities have since retrieved the stolen vehicles. Meanwhile, Gerald has refunded GH¢300,000 to the complainant, while Mohammed returned GH¢35,000 and the 85-inch TV.

The case has been adjourned to April 14, 2025.