Two jailed 40 years for attempted robbery

Two persons, who attempted to rob a medical doctor at Adjiriganor at gun point, were on Tuesday sentenced to 20 years imprisonment each by an Accra Circuit Court.

Erasmus Akakpo Atsu and Theophilus Tse were nabbed by two military officers who were guarding an Army Commander’s residence in the area.

Atsu, a student and Tse were found guilty by the court on the charges of Conspiracy, attempted robbery, and unlawful entry.

On the charges of conspiracy and attempted robbery, the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh sentenced them to 20 years imprisonment each.

On the charge of unlawful entry, Akakpo and Tse will serve three years imprisonment each. Sentences will, however, run concurrently. An accomplice Peter aka Nimko is, however, at large

The court rejected the defences of the accused persons, adding that prosecution was able to establish their case beyond reasonable doubt.

In Atsu’s plea for mitigation, he told the court that, “My Lord I know I am a sinner, I don’t have anything to say.”

Handing the sentences, the court said it took into consideration the fact that they were first time offenders and their plea for mitigation.

However, the court said it was also mindful of the fact that robbery incidents were on the ascendency, hence the need to hand down deterrent sentences.

Prosecuting Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Duuti Tuaruka said the complainants were officers from 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces in Teshie.

Chief Supt. Tuaruka said Atsu resides at Tema Community 10 while Tse, lived at Dawhenya, near Tema.

Prosecution said on October 11, this year at about 1:40 am, Military officers led by Sergeant Aaron Abban-Addison were on duty at the residence of an Army Commander at Adjiringanor, near the Ghana Canada Hospital, when they saw the accused persons armed with pistols and other offensive weapons scaling the wall of Dr Solomon Pomenya in an attempt to rob him.

The prosecutor said the moment they saw the military officers, the accused persons took to their heels. Peter aka Nimko and Atsu escaped.

Tse was, however, nabbed by the Military Officers who then asked him (Tse) to call his accomplices to come and pick him because he had been set free.

The Military officers, however, laid ambush.

Chief Supt. Tuaruka said when Peter and Atsu were approaching, the Military officers descended on them but Peter who was armed escaped.

During a struggle, Atsu pulled a pistol from his pocket to fire at Corporal Gyamfi Ati but he (Corporal Ati) used his head to smash the butt of his gun and the pistol fell in a nearby bush.

When Atsu was escorted to the Police station and searched, four live ammunitions were found in his pocket and another Italian Pistol known as Lady “K” was also found on him.