Ashaiman court hands 50-year jail sentence to four criminals

The Ashaiman Circuit Court on Monday sentenced four persons to a total of 50 years in prison for various offences.

They are Vincent Amenyo, 20, a commercial motor rider, who was sentenced to 20 years for robbery.

Fred Apam, 20, a Laborer, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possessing arms without authority and engaging in robbery.

The others are Mohammed Musah, 21, a motor mechanic who was given 10-years for possession of Narcotic drugs while the fourth convict, a woman, Rakia Alhassan, 55, a trader was also sentenced to 10 years for defrauding by false pretence.

The facts presented in the court presided over by Mr Gabriel Mate Teye by police prosecutors were that on January 16, 2018 at Tulaku in the Ashaiman Municipality, Vincent Amenyo pulled a knife and robbed his victim of his motorbike valued at GH₵3800, a Techno mobile phone valued at GH₵250 and an amount of CFA 270,000 [GH₵2,160].

The prosecution said he was arrested on February 14, 2018 at about 10pm whilst using the motorbike near the Ashaiman Traffic Light with a fake number plate.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the convict and his accomplice, now at large with force and threat of harm, did rob the complainant of the said items.

Fred Apam on his part was arrested on March 19, 2017 at about 12:30am at Tsinae-Agbeh, a suburb of Ashaiman and had in his possession a locally manufactured pistol without authority.
The prosecution said the convict also entered the room of a complainant, one Princess John and pointed the weapon at her with the intention to rob her of her mobile phone. 

The complainant, the prosecution said resisted and managed to raise an alarm which attracted some neighbours including the unit committee members.

A search later conducted in the convict’s room revealed a locally manufactured pistol under the convict’s bed.

In the case of Mohammed Musah, he was jailed for possessing narcotic drugs. According to the prosecution, on October 22, 2017 at about 8:30pm, police men on patrol duties spotted the convict at Ashaiman New Town Junction with a black bag.

When he was approached and searched, 54 wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be indian hemp were found. After forensic examination, it proved to be cannabis and was subsequently charged.

In the case of Rakia Alhassan, alias Kpakpakpa, 55, a trader, the prosecution said on September 9, 2016 at Valco Flat in the Ashaiman municipality, she with the intent to defraud, obtained the consent of one Peggy Afful to part with 51 gallons and 5 drums of palm oil valued at GH₵13,000 through false pretences.

The prosecution said after taking delivery of the products, the convict issued an ADB cheque with the face value of GH₵13,000 to Ms Afful but the she could not cash it because there was not enough money in the account.

According to the prosecution, the convict and her accomplice went into hiding but were later traced to Taifa where she denied knowledge of her accomplice and whereabouts of the products.

The prosecution said during investigation it was revealed that the convict conveyed half of the items to an unknown destination and also sold some. After investigation she was charged with the offence and arraigned before the court.

Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh