Three jailed 90 years for robbery

An Accra Circuit Court on Monday sentenced three people to a total of 90 years for attacking and robbing a lady of her personal effects around the La Palm beach area .

The items stolen included GH?350, a Techno mobile phone, an Expresso modem, a wrist watch and documents.

The convicts, Isaac Anum, a driver’s mate, James Attuquaye, a mechanic and Yussif Lomotey, also a drivers mate, were found guilty on both counts of conspiracy to rob and robbery.

The three accused persons were sentenced to 20 years each for conspiracy to rob and 30 years each for robbery which are to run concurrently.

Before passing the sentence, Mr Francis Obiri, the trial judge asked both the defence and the prosecution whether they had any comment to make.

Mr George Asamani, a friend of the court, prayed the court to show mercy to the accused persons because they are first offenders and have regretted their actions.

He said giving the convicts a long sentence would be counter-productive since this would not lead to their reform in prison but rather lead to hardening them.

However, while one of the state prosecutors, Ms Maame Esi asked the court to make its judgement with regard to the case urged the court to sentence the convicts to 30year jail term.

Mr Francis Obiri, before sentencing the accused person, said where the court finds that the offence committed by the accused persons are of grievous nature, the court has the responsibility to punish the offenders to serve as deterrent to others.

He said with the increased spate of armed robbery in the system it has become difficult for law abiding citizens to go about their lawful duties without being attacked by criminals especially with the current load shedding exercise.

Ms Maame Esi said on the evening of August 21, 2011 the accused persons and one Mike now at large, agreed to go on a robbery spree.

She said Cynthia Amenu and Daniel Oduro Hayford who are the complainants in the case were waiting at the La Palm beach area for vehicle to Teshie, when they were set upon by the three accused persons and Mike.

She said two of them attacked Cynthia Amenu, beat and snatched her bag containing GH?350, a Techno mobile phone, an Expresso modem, a wrist watch and documents.

She said the other two young men also attacked Hayford who had gone to the aide of Cynthia to prevent them from taking her bag away.

Ms Esi said even though Cynthia did not see the faces of her assailant, Hayford saw and recognised them.

She said Hayford confronted Mike that same evening, and Mike with James Attuquaye lead Hayford to Isaac Anum, who produced Cynthia’s bag which had been emptied of its valuables.

Ms Esi said the next day, the accused persons went to the beach and Isaac Anum and Yussif Lomotey were arrested.

James Attuquaye was subsequently arrested whiles Mike absconded and his whereabouts are still unknown.

Cynthia’s mobile phone was found on Yussif Lomotey upon his arrest.