Two dismissed officers, civilian sentenced to 30 years for robbery

Two former security officers and a civilian have each been sentenced to 30 years in prison for robbery by an Accra Circuit Court.

The convicted individuals are Michael Baffour, a dismissed soldier and driver; Isaac Amejor, a dismissed police officer and driver; and Saddick Muntakilu, an unemployed civilian.

They were found guilty of robbing a nurse of her iPhone 11 Pro Max and cash totalling GHC 40,700.

The incident occurred on March 2, 2023, in Adjiriganor, Greater Accra Region, after the complainant had withdrawn money from the bank.

The accused were charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery, to which they pleaded not guilty.

However, the court presided over by Evelyn Asamoah, found them guilty and sentenced each to 30 years on both charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.

In delivering the sentence, the trial judge noted the prevalence of crimes committed by some security officers.
She stated that such behaviour threatened the peace and security of the country.

Additionally, the court considered the premeditated nature of the offence and the lack of remorse shown by the accused, leading to the decision for a deterrent sentence.

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Haligah, urged the court to consider the severity of the offence, the premeditation involved in the crime, and the suffering endured by the victim, as well as the prevalence of such offences.

ASP Haligah called for a retributive punishment to deter similar actions by security personnel, who are trained to protect citizens but instead engage in criminal behaviour.

Mr. Raphael Kofi Bonin, representing Muntakilu, requested that the court impose a minimum sentence aimed at reforming the accused.

The prosecution’s case states that on March 2, 2023, the complainant withdrew GHC 40,700 from the Ghana Commercial Bank’s Adjiriganor branch for a housing project.

The prosecution stated that the complainant boarded a commercial vehicle to Ashaley Botwe School Junction.

Upon reaching a section of New Road near Ability Microfinance, the three accused, except for Muntakilu, who was dressed in uniform, forcibly removed her from the vehicle and compelled her into their taxi.

The court was informed that the accused drove the complainant to a location near the University of Ghana Medical Centre.

According to the prosecution, the complainant began calling for help, but the accused threatened to kill her if she continued.
The prosecution said that the complainant was handcuffed from behind, and the accused used a taser to shock her before stealing her bag, which contained GHC 40,700 and an iPhone 11 Pro Max valued at GHC 9,500.

After the robbery, the accused abandoned her in the bushes while still handcuffed and fled the scene.

The prosecution said that the complainant managed to escape from the bush, where some coconut sellers helped her reach the Legon Police Station, where a report was filed, and the handcuffs were removed.

On March 14, 2023, she petitioned the Director General of the CID for assistance.

The accused were arrested on March 28, 2023, at their hideout along the Tema Motorway stretch.

A search of the accused revealed a military uniform belonging to Baffour and a police uniform belonging to Amejor.

Investigations confirmed that Baffour was a discharged military officer, Amejor was a dismissed police officer, and Muntakilu was unemployed.

In April 2023, an identification parade was conducted, during which the complainant identified all three accused as her robbers.

The prosecution said that the accused admitted to the offence in their caution statements, witnessed by an independent observer.