Dismissed Police and Military Officers, along with an unemployed civilian, have been sentenced to 30 years in prison to be served concurrently.
The convicts, Micheal Baffour, Isaac Amejor and Saddick Muntakilu robbed a nurse around Ashaley-Botwe school junction near Ability Microfinance.
During court proceedings, the prosecution urged the judge to consider several aggravating factors in determining the sentence for the accused security personnel.
These factors included the gravity of the offense, the premeditation and planning involved in executing the crime, the severe torture endured by the victim, and the alarming prevalence of such crimes in society.
The prosecution stressed the need for a retributive punishment to deter other security personnel from committing similar offenses, asserting that individuals trained to protect citizens should not be allowed to engage in criminal acts.
“Incarcerating these accused individuals will remove three potential threats from our streets,” the prosecutor argued, advocating for a severe sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed.
Case Summary
Prosecutor ASP Emmanuel Haligah informed the court that the complainant, Shirley Asafo Agyei, is a nurse residing in Ashaley-Botwe. Micheal Baffour, a driver, lives in Ngleshie Amanfrom near Kasoa, Isaac Amejor, also a driver, resides at Kasoa High Tension, and Saddick Muntakilu is unemployed, living in Asamankese in the Eastern Region. One other suspect remains at large.
On March 2, 2023, the complainant withdrew GHC 40,700 from the Ghana Commercial Bank’s Adjiriganor branch for a housing project. After boarding a commercial vehicle towards the Ashaley-Botwe school junction, the vehicle was intercepted by Baffour, Amejor, Muntakilu, and another accomplice, with Amejor in police uniform, who dragged her from the vehicle. They forced her into their taxi and drove her to a location near the University of Ghana Medical Centre.
The complainant began shouting for help, but they threatened to kill her if she didn’t remain silent. They handcuffed her, used a taser to shock her, and stole her bag containing GHC 40,700 in cash and an iPhone 11 Pro Max valued at GHC 9,500. After robbing her, the accused abandoned her in the bush, handcuffed, and sped away.
The complainant managed to reach the roadside, where coconut sellers assisted her in getting to the Legon Police Station, where she made an initial report and had her handcuffs removed. On March 14, 2023, she petitioned the Director General of the CID for further assistance.
On March 26, 2023, Baffour, Amejor, and Muntakilu were arrested at their hideout along the Tema Motorway. A search revealed one military uniform belonging to Baffour and one police uniform belonging to Amejor. Investigations established that Baffour is a dismissed military officer, Amejor is a dismissed police officer, and Muntakilu is unemployed.
On April 14, 2023, an identification parade was conducted at the CID headquarters, where the complainant identified Baffour, Amejor, and Muntakilu as her robbers.
The accused admitted in their caution statement, in the presence of an independent witness, that they robbed the complainant and divided the stolen items. Following the investigation, they were charged and arraigned before the court.
