Okada rider gets 15 years for robbery near police headquarters
Emmanuel Waki, also known as (aka) Pocket, who robbed a pedestrian of his mobile phone, near the Ghana Police Service Headquarters, has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Accra Circuit Court.
Waki committed the act when the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, his bodyguards and the Police Management Team were returning from observational duties in December, last year.
The bodyguards of the IGP arrested Salifu Alhaji, an accomplice, who was also at the scene, and he led the police to arrest Waki at his residence at Fadama in Accra.
Waki, a 21-year-old Okada rider, pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and robbery.
The court, presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, sentenced Waki to 10 years imprisonment on the charge of conspiracy and 15 years imprisonment on the charge of robbery.
The sentences are to run concurrently. The 24-year-old alleged accomplice, Salifu Alhaji, aka Malika, also an Okada rider, however, denied any wrongdoing.
The court has remanded Alhaji in police custody to reappear on January 17.
Prosecuting, Inspector Isaac Babayi, opposed the bail application for Alhaji.
He said that when the IGP and his bodyguards returning from observational duties, spotted a man riding motorcycle in a suspicious manner from the Ghana Fire Service headquarters direction heading towards the Arko Adjei Interchange.
The court heard that on reaching the pedestrian pavement opposite the CID headquarters, the rider snatched the mobile phone of a pedestrian who was waiting for a vehicle and sped off.
Insp Babayi said the pedestrian (victim) attempted to chase the rider, Alhaji, but to no avail, and the bodyguards of the IGP chased him and arrested him.
The prosecution said Alhaji denied the offence, but mentioned Waki as the one who robbed the pedestrian.
Alhaji led the police to the residence of Waki, at Old Fadama, where he was grabbed, and during investigations, Waki admitted the offence and said he sold the mobile phone to one Mohammed at GH¢300. – GNA
