22-year-old welder gets 18 years for robbery

A 22-year-old welder has been sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment with hard labour by the Asante Akropong Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District for robbery at Asaase Bokankye, near Akropong.

Williams Amoateng pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea by the court, presided over by Mrs. Gloria Mensah Bonsu.

Police Chief Inspector Evans Baaba Ayimbisah, prosecuting, told the court that Blessing Owusu, the complainant, was a tricycle rider and a resident of Atwima Agogo, while Amoateng and his accomplice, one Jolley—who is now at large—resided at Asaase Bokankye.

He said that on February 25 of this year, at about 8:00 p.m., the complainant, who was in charge of his tricycle (Pragia) with registration number M-2023-AS 2221, was engaged in his usual riding business in Abuakwa and its environs.

The convict, together with his accomplice, engaged the complainant’s services to Asaase Bokankye, but on their way, Amoateng ordered him to stop, and he complied.

According to the prosecution, the two got out of the vehicle, suddenly picked up a stick and a stone, and threatened to harm the complainant if he failed to surrender the vehicle, valued at GH¢46,000, along with his day’s earnings.

They took away the vehicle and GH¢750 in cash before fleeing the scene.

The prosecution said that on February 27, the complainant spotted Amoateng at Asaase Bokankye and raised an alarm.

With the help of some residents, the convict was arrested and handed over to the Pokukrom Police.

He admitted to the offence in his caution statement and told the police that he had sold the vehicle to someone at Kumasi-Alabar.

However, he was unable to trace the said buyer when the police led him to the location.

After further investigations, he was charged and brought before the court.

Meanwhile, watch this Ghana Month special edition of People and Places as we hear the story of how the head of Kwame Nkrumah's bronze statue was returned after 43 years, below: