The Asante Bekwai Circuit Court has sentenced three fugitive armed robbers to 20 years’ imprisonment each, in hard labour, for robbing commuters on the Jacobu–Anwiankwanta road.
The convicts Peter Boadi, alias Kwao Zizzy, a driver; Daniel Kwaku Owusu, a farmer; and Eric Kwaku Danso, self-employed, all in their twenties, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit crime, to wit robbery and robbery, after a full trial.
According to Inspector of Police, Eric Okyere, who presented the facts before the court presided over by Mr Isaac Apiatu, the trio attacked and robbed their victims, including two Chinese nationals, of two iPhone 12 Pro Max phones valued at GH¢10,000.00 and a total of GH¢37,000.00 in cash.
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The incident occurred on April 29, 2024, at about 11:00 p.m., when the victims Joseph Eghan, a security man; Joseph Boadu, a low-bed driver; and two Chinese people were travelling from the Bene Ne Bene Forest near Jacobu to Anwiankwanta in a low-bed vehicle loaded with an excavator. On reaching Fiankoma, near Jacobu, the armed robbers, wielding a pump-action gun and a pistol, ambushed and robbed them of GH¢7,000.00 and the iPhones.
Unsatisfied with their loot, the gang threatened to kill the victims if they did not provide more money. Under duress, the victims called a mobile money merchant, leading to the transfer of GH¢30,000.00 to a number provided by Boadi. The robbers then released their victims and escaped through the bush.
The complainants reported the matter to the Jacobu Police on May 1, 2024, and the case was later referred to the Regional Headquarters at Bekwai for further investigations. Following intelligence-led operations between June and September 2024, the police tracked and arrested the suspects.
Investigations revealed that the GH¢30,000.00 was transferred to a woman in Obuasi, who was later identified as Boadi’s former girlfriend. She admitted receiving the funds and stated that Boadi had informed her it was a payment for a job done by his team. She withdrew the amount for them and was given GH¢700.00 as her share.
A subsequent search of Boadi’s residence at Obuasi Bogobiri led to the discovery of one foreign Bruna pistol, one locally manufactured pistol, and ammunition, all retrieved as evidence.
The convicts pleaded not guilty but were found culpable after trial. The court consequently sentenced each of them to 20 years’ imprisonment in hard labour.
