Porter gets 15 years for robbery, causing harm
The Accra Circuit Court has sentenced 27-year-old porter, Alex Abubakari, to 15 years in prison for robbing a trader, Kofi Ametepe.
Abubakari pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and causing harm, after he smashed Ametepe’s head with a pavement block before stealing from him.
During police interrogation, Abubakari explained that he committed the crime due to extreme hunger.
The court, presided over by Mr Isaac Addo, said he took into account Abubakari’s age and his guilty plea when determining the sentence.
On the charge of causing harm, Abubakari was sentenced to one year in prison, and received 15 years for robbery, both to be served concurrently in hard labour.
The court ordered that all stolen items retrieved from Abubakari should be returned to the victim.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, disclosed that Abubakari was a squatter at Afua Sutherland Park in Accra.
The court heard that at around 6:30pm on October 26, this year, Ametepe, a Togolese, was at the Bank of Africa Recreational Garden, near the Octagon Building, near the Accra City Hotel, in Accra.
Chief Insp Lawer stated that Abubakari, went to the area and struck Ametepe on the head with a pavement block from behind, without provocation, and the victim fell unconscious.
The court heard that Abubakari stole Infinix Hot 50i mobile phone, valued at GH¢1,700, and a backpack containing other personal items of the victim.
Insp Lawer said a witness, who observed the attack, raised the alarm, prompting security personnel at the Octagon building, to apprehend Abubakari.
The personnel retrieved the stolen items and handed them over to the authorities.
The court heard that Ametepe, who bled profusely, was rushed to Ridge Hospital where he was admitted.
Insp Lawer said the police issued a medical form to Ametepe, who sustained injuries to his head, to attend hospital. A medical report was submitted on Ametepe after he was examined and treated. In Abubakari’s investigation caution statement, he admitted the offence and explained that he committed the offence because of hunger.