The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced 11 men to a total of 252 years in prison for robbing a gold-buying company at Wassa Akropong in the Western Region.
The convicts, including two retired soldiers and nine others, were found guilty of conspiracy and robbery. They were each sentenced to various prison terms, ranging from 17 to 50 years in hard labour.
The presiding judge, Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, ignored the pleas of the convicts for mercy and instead gave them enhanced punishment to serve as a deterrent to the public.
According to the prosecution, the convicts robbed the company of 7.5 kilograms of refined gold, valued at GH¢1,543,500, six mobile phones, and cash amounting to GH¢250,000.
The court heard that the convicts were arrested after a Closed-circuit television camera captured them during the robbery. A search on them uncovered weapons and ammunition.
The convicts admitted to the offence in their caution statements and mentioned their accomplices, who are still at large.
The court declared one of the accomplices, Peter Adoku, wanted and ordered his apprehension to face prosecution.
The convicts are:
- Emmanuel Tetteh (17 years)
- Samuel Agbadoku (17 years)
- Isaac Adjei (17 years)
- Frank Afavi (17 years)
- Yaw Adzevi (17 years)
- Anthony Ayivie Kwame Senyo (17 years)
- Pascal Korku Atatsitsey (25 years)
- Dickson Kumedzro (25 years)
- Ruben Kportufe (25 years)
- Dodzi Awali (25 years)
- Mohammed Buzu (50 years)
