Crime & Punishment

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has refuted accusations of involvement in the recent deaths of three individuals in Sabongari, Bawku. This follows the January 12th killing of Issah Halidu, a 40-year-old Mamprusi man, which sparked escalating violence in the area. While acknowledging the rising tensions and tragic loss of life, the GAF firmly denies any involvement in the subsequent deaths. Their statement emphasizes that the assailants responsible for the recent attack were not held in their custody at any point. The violence, according to a statement by GAF began on January 12 with the murder of Issah Halidu, a 40-year-old Mamprusi man. On January 17, unknown gunmen attacked public members, killing two and injuring four others. Again, on January 18, the GAF fired at a Ghanaian Army post and spotted two locals attempting to light a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb at a Goil Filling Station in Bawku. The GAF has expressed regret over the deaths but warns against direct engagement with military personnel. “It is instructive to note that directly engaging the military is a development that could result in fatal consequences as troops will spare no opportunity to defend themselves as well as protect residents of Bawku. Therefore, factions in the Bawku conflict are cautioned against drawing the military into direct armed confrontation while efforts are undertaken to resolve the current impasse.” Citinewsroom  

A 39-year-old driver, who stole secured file transfer protocol (SFTP) network cables valued at GH₵50,000.00 belonging to INNOVA DDB Ghana has been sentenced by an Accra Circuit Court.  The court sentenced Nurudeen Abddulai to 15 years imprisonment. He was charged with unlawful entry and stealing, a charge he initially pleaded not guilty to. After a long trial, the Court presided over Mr Jojo Amoah Hagan found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly. The facts as presented by Police Chief Inspector Issaka Habbib were that the complainant Mr Emmanuel Sentre who resided at Ofankor was an IT technician working with the INNOVA DDB advertising firm located at Kanda while the convict resided at Kanda, Accra, with no fixed place of abode. The prosecution said on November 16, 2022, at about 1900 hours, the convict sneaked into the premises of the aforementioned firm and entered the server room of a newly built two-storey office space. It said the convict used a knife to cut and caused damage to the SFTP network cable extensions that had been used to wire the entire office space and kept the same in the sack. The prosecution said the convict was spotted by a witness in the case. It said the witness raised an alarm, and the convict took to his heels, but was given a hot chase and subsequently arrested and brought to the Nima Police Station. The prosecution said a formal complaint was lodged and the sack containing the irregular pieces of SFTP network cables with a metal handle was retrieved from the scene and kept for evidential purposes. By Emelia Nkrumah/Patricia Boateng, GNA  

An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 37-year-old mason apprentice to three years imprisonment for stealing GHC15,000 cedis from his boss and spending it on eight prostitutes. Police investigations revealed that Boame spent between GHC350 and GHC550 on the eight prostitutes after having fun with them. Richard Boame is said to have also used part of the money to purchase some personal effects. Charged with stealing, Boame pleaded guilty before the court presided over by Mrs Kizita Koowa Quashie. Inspector Ansah DaCosta said the complainant, Daniel Hafia Komla, was a resident of Osu, while the accused person was an apprentice undergoing training under the complainant. Inspector DaCosta said on January 9, 2024, the complainant kept cash in the sum of GHC15,000 which was brought to him by a client for some work. According to the prosecutor, the money was put in a bag and placed in the complainant’s room. The prosecution told the court that the accused person, now convict, sneaked into the complainant’s room and took the money. According to the prosecutor, the complainant went to his room to pick up the money, but he did not find it. The accused person was called by the complainant several times, but he did not pick up his calls. A report was made to the police and intelligence revealed that he was in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. The prosecution said on January 13, 2024, the Police arrested Boame. He rented a hotel in Kumasi and engaged prostitutes and after fun with them, paid them cash between GHC350 and GHC550. According to the prosecution, it was revealed that he engaged eight of the prostitutes between January 10 and 13, 2024. The prosecution said Boame also bought a backpack, Bluetooth Speaker, five boxer shorts, a pair of trousers, three shirts, a spectacle, perfume, a pair of sneakers, a pair of sandals and mobile phone from the stolen money. The prosecutor said the Police only retrieved GHC380 from him. GNA- Joyce Danso