Officers in 2 Fast Motors robbery acquitted

Six policemen who are members of the Mobile Squad Special Services Division, who were arrested two years ago for armed robbery, extortion and deprivation of liberty allegations, have been acquitted by the National Court.

The cases against Samuel Turi, Arnold Zilong, Tuom Tutuk, Ronald Nelson, Carl Inoumba and Jeremiah Buigen were dismissed by Justice George Manuhu after the state failed to secure their witnesses, who are Chinese nationals, to appear in court.

The non-availability of state witnesses saw no evidence offered by the state when it closed its case at trial.

The trial was initially set in May to give time to round up witnesses however, that was not done.

The complainants were out of the country, thus there was no evidence put to court from them as witnesses to sustain the charges, resulting in the acquittal of the accused.

The six were arrested and charged on March 17, 2016, for their alleged involvement in an illegal search on a Chinese national and used their office issued firearms to search and confiscate more items at the 2 Fast Motors dealership on March 13.

They were facing allegations they illegally searched the Chinese nationals’ vehicle and yard, and confiscated cash, ammunition, a pistol, bullets, large amounts of counterfeit imported cigarettes (Double Happiness brand), mobile and other valuables amounting to K105,000.

(Loop filepic)

Author: 
Sally Pokiton