Unemployed jailed 20 years for robbery

An Accra Circuit Court on Friday sentenced Stephen Duodo, unemployed to 20 years imprisonment for stabbing and robbing two persons of GH? 2,000.00.

Duodu was found guilty on the charges of robbery and causing harm.

The Court presided over by Mr Justice Francis Obiri sentenced Duodu to 20 years on the robbery and 10 years for causing harm.

Sentences are to run concurrently.

Sentencing Duodu aka Richard Kwame, the Trial Judge said the Court rejected his Defence Counsel’s suggestion that the convict went to visit his girlfriend and he had a confrontation with her, so he decided to go home.

According to the Court while on his way, Duodu stated that he decided to urinate, there upon some people apprehended him and subjected him to severe beatings.

The Court noted that his Defence Counsel’s argument was an afterthought and that the harm the convict caused the complainants, Bernard Agyei and Eric Arhin could have resulted in their death.

Duodu stabbed Agyei in the abdomen while Arhin sustained injuries on his left hand and head.

His Counsel Mr Nii Bi Ayibontey prayed the Court to have mercy on Duodu as he was a father of four adding imposing a harsher sentence on him would bring hardship on his children.

Prosecuting Chief Superintendent of Police Duuti Tuaruka prayed for harsher sentence to serve as deterrent to others.

The facts as narrated by Chief Supt. Tuaruka the complainant Anthony Bariamah is a driver residing at Odorkor Official Town in Accra while the convict lived at Adjei Kojo, near Amasaman.

According to the Prosecutor, during the night of July 31, last year Agyei the complainant and his brother were asleep when the convict armed with two sharp knives and a pair of pliers broke into their bedroom and held them hostage.

Prosecution said, the convict ordered them to surrender their monies or they be killed.

Chief Supt Tuaruka said Duodu stabbed Agyei in the abdomen and inflicted wounds on Arhin’s head and left arm.

According to Prosecutor Duodu searched the room and found GH? 2,000.00 hidden in an armed chair and attempted escaping.

Prosecution said the complainants screamed and that attracted other co-tenants who apprehended Duodu and retrieved the money and handed him over to the Police.

Agyei was rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he was operated while Arhin was treated and discharged.