- 2 ex-security officers, 1 civilian get 30 years for robbery
- Robbery: GHC 40,700, iPhone 11 Pro Max stolen
- Victims tortured, handcuffed, and tasered
- Court seeks to deter crimes by security personnel
Two former security officers and a civilian have been sentenced to 30 years in prison each for robbery by an Accra Circuit Court. The convicted individuals, Michael Baffour, a dismissed soldier and driver, Isaac Amejor, a dismissed police officer and driver, and Saddick Muntakilu, an unemployed civilian, were found guilty of robbing a nurse of her iPhone 11 Pro Max and cash totaling GHC 40,700.
The incident occurred on March 2, 2023, in Adjiriganor, Greater Accra Region, after the complainant had withdrawn money from the bank. The accused were charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery, to which they pleaded not guilty.
However, the court, presided over by Evelyn Asamoah, found them guilty and sentenced each to 30 years on both charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.
In delivering the sentence, the trial judge noted the prevalence of crimes committed by some security officers, stating that such behavior threatened the peace and security of the country.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Haligah, urged the court to consider the severity of the offense, the premeditation involved in the crime, and the suffering endured by the victim.
ASP Haligah called for a retributive punishment to deter similar actions by security personnel, who are trained to protect citizens but instead engage in criminal behavior.
The prosecution’s case revealed that the complainant was forcibly removed from a commercial vehicle and compelled into the accused’s taxi.
The accused drove the complainant to a location near the University of Ghana Medical Centre, where they handcuffed and tasered her before stealing her belongings.
After the robbery, the accused abandoned her in the bushes while still handcuffed and fled the scene. The complainant managed to escape and reported the incident to the Legon Police Station.
The accused were arrested on March 28, 2023, at their hideout along the Tema Motorway stretch. Investigations confirmed that Baffour was a discharged military officer, Amejor was a dismissed police officer, and Muntakilu was unemployed.
In April 2023, an identification parade was conducted, during which the complainant identified all three accused as her robbers.
The prosecution said that the accused admitted to the offence in their caution statements, witnessed by an independent observer.
The court’s decision highlights the need for accountability among security personnel and the importance of protecting citizens from criminal activities. It also serves as a deterrent to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The sentencing of the three accused brings closure to the victim and reinforces the justice system’s commitment to combating crime.
The case underscores the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
The 30-year sentence for the two former security officers and civilian serves as a strong message against criminal behavior and promotes public safety.
