Two former security personnel and a civilian have each been sentenced to 30 years in prison for robbery by the Accra Circuit Court.
They were Michael Baffour, a dismissed soldier and driver, Isaac Amejor, a dismissed policeman and driver, and Saddick Muntakilu, an unemployed civilian.
They were found guilty of robbing a nurse of her iPhone 11 Pro Max and GH¢40,700 on March 2, 2023, in Adjiriganor, Greater Accra Region, after the complainant had withdrawn money from the bank.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 them to 30 years each on both charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.
In delivering the sentence, the trial judge noted that there was prevalence of crimes committed by some security officers, which according to her 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.
The prosecution 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.
ASP Haligah noted that on March 2, 2023, the complainant withdrew GH¢40,700 from the Ghana Commercial Bank’s Adjiriganor branch for a housing project.
He stated that the complainant boarded a commercial vehicle to Ashaley Botwe School Junction.
ASP Haligah again said upon reaching a section of New Road near Ability Microfinance, the three accused, except for Muntakilu, who were 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.
ASP Haligah further stated that the complainant was handcuffed from behind, and the accused used a taser to shock her before stealing her bag, which contained GH¢40,700 and an iPhone 11 Pro Max valued at GH¢9,500.
After the robbery, the accused abandoned her in the bushes while still handcuffed and fled the scene.
ASP Haligah said that the complainant escaped from the bush, and some coconut sellers helped her to go to the Legon Police Station to lodge a complaint.
The court heard that on March 14, 2023, the victim petitioned the Director General of the CID for assistance, and accused were arrested on March 28, 2023 at their hideout along the Tema Motorway stretch.
He said a search on the accused revealed a military uniform belonging to Baffour, and a police uniform belonging to Amejor.
The prosecution said investigations confirmed that Baffour was discharged from the military, Amejor was dismissed from the police service and Muntakilu was unemployed. —GNA