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02.05.2008 Crime & Punishment

2 Robbers Jailed 60 Years

02.05.2008 LISTEN
By Daily Graphic

The Kumasi High Court has sentenced two armed robbers to a total of 60 years imprisonment with hard labour. Kwadwo Hagan, 25, and Alex Osei Owusu, 26, received 30 years each after the court, presided over by Mr Justice K. A. Pobee, had found them guilty of armed robbery.

The two pleaded not guilty. They robbed a taxi driver of his vehicle at gunpoint in Kumasi on December 3, 2006 and sent the vehicle to Assin Fosu in the Central Region for sale, the court was told.

They committed the crime with another man, Emmanuel Okuoyie, 27, a Nigerian, who pleaded guilty to the charge at their maiden appearance in court.

Okuoyie was, accordingly, sentenced to 21 years imprisonment with hard labour.

The court heard that the convicts, on December 3, 2006, robbed a taxi driver, Yaw Barimah, a native of Achiase, near Mamponten, of his vehicle.

They hired the taxi, a Mitsubishi Lancer, and asked the driver to take them to Osborn Junction, near Breman.

They succeeded in snatching the vehicle and cash of GH¢75 from the driver at gunpoint and sent the vehicle to Assin Fosu.

They were said to have sent the vehicle to a mechanic's shop, with the intention of selling it, but the mechanic, who became suspicious, reported the matter to the police and the three were subsequently arrested.

When they were put before court in Kumasi, Okuoyie pleaded guilty and was sentenced accordingly, while Hagan and Owusu pleaded not guilty.

Story by Enoch Darfah Frimpong.

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