THE REPUBLIC VS AKPOR HEDJOLE AGO-ABLO

At a routine traffic deployment near Old Parliament House on Atta Mills High Street, Accra, Ghana Police officers stopped an Apsonic motorbike rider carrying a backpack. A search revealed a loaded Haskell pistol No. 038307, together with other items. The rider, later charged, could not produce any documentation authorizing possession of the firearm and was taken to the Regional CID, Accra. In statements, he claimed the pistol belonged to his uncle, Mr. Stanley Ashitey, who resides in the United States; a phone call to the uncle confirmed claimed ownership but yielded no guidance to any documents or provenance. At trial, three prosecution witnesses described the seizure and lack of permits; the investigator could not establish lawful acquisition. The accused’s testimony contained contradictions, including admitting he took the gun from Nungua for safe keeping after his son found it, yet failing to deposit it at Teshie. Applying NRCD 9 and the standard of proof, the court found possession without authority, convicted, sentenced to a fine or six months in default, and ordered confiscation.