Sekondi High Court jails two armed robbers 80 years

Sekondi, June 1, GNA - A Sekondi High Court on Monday sentenced two armed robbers to a total of 80 years for robbery, with effect from February 23, 2002.

They pleaded not guilty.

They are: John Kwame Ofori alias Kwame Kakraba, 34, and Salifu Dawda alias Red, 29, both are Scrap Dealers. Prosecuting, Mr Patrick Sam Akuffo, a State Attorney, told the Court presided over by Mr Justice Clemence J. Honyenugah that the two convicts attacked one Mr Yiadom Boakye-Amponsah, a Resources Manager of the Ghana Australia Goldfields Limited (GAG) around 0145 hours on December 5, 2001 at Tebrebe.

They took away 700,000 cedis; 800 dollars, 200 Pounds Sterling, two cameras, perfumes, body lotions, a Technics sound system with speakers, a mobile phone and his wedding ring.

The two men again attacked and robbed Ms Berlinda Nimako, a Visitor in Mr Boakye-Amponsah's house and took her 398,000 cedis, her mobile phone and her handbag.

Mr Akuffo told the Court that the two held Berlinda at gunpoint and asked her to knock on Mr Boakye-Amponsah's door and as soon as he opened it, they rushed in and pointed the locally manufactured pistols at him. The Prosecutor said it was at this point that they collected the items from the Resources Manager.

According to the Prosecutor, Mr Boakye-Amponsah had switched off his room air condition so the heat in the room became unbearable for the convicts and they removed their masks.

Mr Boakye-Amponsah and Berlinda managed to escape from the room to call for help on his Motorola handset, which was in his car. Mr Akuffo said the Police and members of a neighbourhood watch committee arrested the two at Akyempim.

Three knives, pliers, screwdrivers, six bullets, wedding rings, masks, a pair of gloves, a bracelet and a lady's bag were retrieved from them. 01 June 04