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Double Trouble: Robbers Hit with Additional Sentences

Three robbers suffered double agony before an Accra Circuit Court which gave them two lengthy jail sentences each for two robberies. Isaac Amejor and Michael Baffour, aka Mike, ex-police and military officers, respectively together with Mutakilu Saddick, had 35 years imprisonment each for robbery after being slapped with a jail term of 30 years each by the same court for robbery earlier. The Court presided over by Evelyn Asamoah, in the second case sentenced them after she found them guilty of robbing a mobile money vendor who had withdrawn GH¢4,000 from Ghana Commercial Bank Dansoman – Sahara branch in Accra on March 22, 2023. They also took away her two mobile phones and additional cash of GH¢950. The three convicts were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, robbery, impersonation, preparation to commit a crime, and restriction on the use of military uniforms and equipment. Handing down the sentence, the Court said it considered how the accused persons used their status as ex-security officers to perpetuate the crime, the prevalence of the offence and the premeditation of the accused persons. Raphael Kofi Bonin, defence counsel, prayed the Court to deal leniently with them as they had dependents, and they had shown remorse during the trial. According to defence counsel, the accused persons had also spent two years in custody and urged the Court to give them a second chance to reform. Earlier, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Evans Kesse, prosecuting, said Amejor was dismissed from the Ghana Police Service while Baffour aka Mike resigned from the Ghana Armed Forces in the year 2014. DSP Kesse said Saddick used to be a trader at Kantamanto, Accra but he abandoned his trading business. The prosecution told the Court that Amejor and Baffour resided at Kasoa while Saddick resided at Asamankese in the Eastern Region. The Prosecution said the three accused persons, now convicts, became friends and decided to form a syndicate group that would constantly engage in robbery activities targeted at innocent citizens who visited various financial institutions to transact business. The Court heard that on March 22, 2023, the convicts met at the Kasoa toll booth and hired a taxi to Dansoman to rob people who had withdrawn cash from financial institutions. Based on that, the prosecution said the accused persons went to the premises of Ghana Commercial Bank PLC Dansoman. The prosecution said the convicts robbed one Priscilla Quansah, a mobile money vendor, who went to Ghana Commercial Bank, Sahara branch, to withdraw money. According to the prosecution, Saddick acted as a spy and entered the banking hall where he spotted the victim who had withdrawn GHC4,000 from her merchant mobile phone. Prosecution said Saddick quickly called his accomplices who sat in a get-away taxi on the street close to the bank. Saddick then joined his accomplices. It said Amejor came out of the car and stopped the victim who was on her way to her business center. The prosecution said Amejor informed the victim that her employer had reported her to them for committing an offence which he could not specify. The Court was told that Amejor then forced the victim into their vehicle and sandwiched her in the back seat. At that time, the Prosecution said Amejor was then wearing a Police uniform while Baffour wore his Military uniform. The prosecution said Baffour then ascertained from the victim how much she had withdrawn from the bank and the victim mentioned GHC4,000. On their way, the prosecution said Baffour ordered the driver to stop. Baffour alighted and ordered the victim to leave her handbag containing GH¢4,000 and an additional GH¢950 as well as two cellular mobile phones, as they escorted her to her boss, Mr Appiah. The prosecution said on their way to meet Mr Appiah, Baffour abandoned the victim, ran back to the car and ordered the driver to speed off. They paid the driver GH¢410 and shared the booty. The prosecution said Saddick was given the victim’s Android phone and collected the driver’s number, assuring him that they will be working with him always. On Thursday, March 23, 2023, Saddick called the driver to convey them to Tema where they had planned to rob. Prosecution said the ex-security officers as usual wore their uniforms while Saddick wore his casual attire. It said the Surveillance team of the Ghana Police Service who had earlier monitored the convicts, picked them up.myjoyonline

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Miner jailed for stabbing mason at Nsuaem

A 28-year-old miner has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in hard labour by the Tarkwa Circuit Court for stabbing a mason with a knife on his back severally at Nsuaem in the Western Region. Joseph Ntiful, the convict, pleaded guilty with an explanation for causing unlawful harm: contrary to section 69 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (29/60). The court presided over by Hathia Ama Manu rejected Ntiful’s explanation, saying, he would be punished to serve as a deterrent to every Ghanaian out there, especially the youth. In addition, a compensation of GH¢10,000 was awarded by the court against Ntiful. Superintendent Juliana Essel-Dadzie, prosecuting, said the complainant, James Adu, and Ntiful were both residents of Nsuaem in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality. She said on June 4, 2024, at about 8:30 pm, Adu saw Ntiful standing beside a motorbike in his house, and he asked about his mission and even went further to know if he was looking for his landlord. Prosecution said Ntiful did not utter a word, and this compelled Adu to draw closer, but he ordered him to stay away from him, got furious and started raining insults on Adu. She said a misunderstanding ensued between the two but other tenants who overheard them shouting came out of their respective rooms to prevent them from fighting. Afterwards, a witness advised Adu to stay away as it was late and he could be attacked, but suddenly Ntiful stabbed Adu with a knife and he went to the Nsuaem Police station to complain. Superintendent Essel-Dadzie said while the duty bearers were hunting for Ntiful who went into hiding, they gave out a Police medical report form to Adu to visit the health facility, who later returned the form to the Police after treatment. She said on Monday, July 22, 2024, at about 4:30 am intelligence gathered by the Police led to the arrest of Ntiful. myjoyonline

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Baker slapped 25 years for defiling Primary 5 pupil

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The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced Alfred Essuman Aimar, a baker, to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling an 11-year-old pupil at Prestea in the Western Region. Aimar, who is popularly known as ‘Virgin Love’ pleaded not guilty to the offence, but after the case had gone through full trial, he was found guilty and sentenced accordingly by the court presided over by Hathia Ama Manu. The prosecutor, Police Superintendent Juliana Essel-Dadzie, said the complainant, a trader, lived at Prestea with the victim who is her daughter, who attended school in the same vicinity. She said Aimar also resided at Prestea and he and the complainant have been neighbours for years. The prosecutor said on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 1600 hours, Aimar took advantage of the relationship between him and the complainant lured the victim into his room and had sexual intercourse with her after which he threatened to butcher the victim with cutlass if she told anyone. Superintendent Essel-Dadzie said although the victim was scared, she mustered courage and informed the complainant, and she reported the matter at the Prestea police post. Aimar was picked up by the police and during interrogation he admitted the offence in his caution statement, and a police medical form was issued to the complainant on behalf of the victim to seek treatment for her. She said the medical form was returned to the police endorsed by the medical officer who attended to the victim. myjoyonline

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Galamsey fight: Delays often from prosecutors not judges – CJ responds to A-G

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The Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo has debunked assertions that the courts are solely responsible for the delays in the prosecution of accused persons in illegal mining cases. In an address on Wednesday, October 2, at the annual conference of Judges and Magistrates in Accra, the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame while laying the blame at the doors of the courts, appealed to the Chief Justice to direct judges to complete galamsey cases a month after the resumption of the legal break. Yeboah-Dame posited that delays by the courts had resulted in a major setback in the fight against the galamsey menace. “It is beyond argument that the form of illegal mining known as “galamsey” continues to wreak incalculable damage to our forest reserves and river bodies. A major setback to the struggle against galamsey is the rate of adjudication and punishment of offenders. The deterrence to galamsey sought to be achieved by the amendment to the Minerals and Mining Act in 2019, requiring a punishment of a minimum of 15 years plus a heavy fine in the case of a Ghanaian, and a minimum of 20 years plus a hefty fine for a non-Ghanaian, is not aided by the tardiness of our courts in completing galamsey cases. Mr Dame noted that “Convictions are secured but they come in trickles. Currently, over 140 cases of illegal mining involving over 850 accused persons are pending in courts in the Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Greater-Accra and Upper East Regions of Ghana. Some have been pending since 2020. This situation cannot be right. We are in an urgent national crisis and all citizens and institutions with any form of role to play must be called to action.” “Your ladyship, I, therefore, respectfully call on you to direct all judges sitting on galamsey cases to conclude the cases, the hearing of which has started, within one month from the commencement of the legal year on 10th October 2024. Reasonably, it can be done,” he appealed. But in her response, the Chief Justice reminded the Minister of Justice and Attorney General that his outfit and essentially prosecutors were often the reason cases delayed at the courts. “On the issue of delays in galamsey cases, the Attorney General will acknowledge that our engagements have shown delays in the work of prosecutors,” Gertrude Torkornoo noted. The Chief Justice further cautioned judges against needless adjournments of cases. “Too often, the office of the Chief Justice receives petitions about delays through unending adjournments of cases. I wish to implore Judges to do away completely with the model of fixing cases ‘for mention’. “No matter how tall a cause list is, my sincere view is that with the inclusion of witness statements as a necessary part of the trial process in both civil and criminal cases, there is no need for a court to adjourn a case after the case management conferences for ‘mention’. My firm view developed from 20 years of sitting as a trial judge and appellate judge, is that it should not be the norm that parties are made to dress up, leave their businesses, spend money travelling, and spend time just sitting in a court premise only to hear the title of their case called out and told to come back another date. This should be the exceptional situation,” she posited Gertrude Torkornoo maintained that “Judges are urged to please get on with the business of hearing lawyers and parties when cases are scheduled. As leaders of their courts, it should be our duty to designate officers to review dockets to ensure that hearing notices ordered have been served and cases are properly ripe for hearing before citizens are made to come to a court for hearing. If bailiffs fail to serve processes, registrars should be supervised to set up systems for informing parties not to come to court, until processes are ripe for hearing their case. Judges are further encouraged to monitor the efficiency of the backroom processes regarding the dockets before them so that they do not pile up their cause lists through interminable adjournments.”

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3-day protest to demand release of anti-galamsey protesters begins today

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A three-day protest is set to begin today, Thursday, October 3, in Accra, as activists demand the immediate release of 53 Democracy Hub protesters who were arrested during an anti-galamsey demonstration last week. The demonstration, which will run until October 5, aims to highlight the ongoing environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, locally known as galamsey. The protest march will start from Legon Okponglo and proceed to the Black Star Square, with participants following a route approved by the police. The designated path includes key locations such as the Legon Stadium, Okponglo Traffic Light, Shiashie, Shangri-La, and Airport Traffic Light, before heading to the National Service Secretariat, Electoral Commission Office, Parliament, and ending at Independence Square. Organized under the banners “FreeTheCitizens” and “SayNoToGalamsey,” the protest has gained strong momentum on social media, with thousands expected to participate. The activists hope to draw attention not only to the arrest of their fellow protesters but also to the ongoing fight against illegal mining, which continues to devastate Ghana’s environment. Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has issued a warning, stating that they will disperse any crowds if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the demonstration could lead to a breach of peace during the event. myjoyonline

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Pastor, 5 Others Remanded Following Chaos On ARS Church Premises

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The Circuit Court at Tokor in the Ketu South of the Volta Region has remanded a 42-year-old Reverend Gilbert Korney, the Presiding Pastor of Apostles Revelation Society (ARS), headquarters, Tadzewu, in police custody for causing harm. Raymond Wovenu, 52, a businessman, and Harry Atsu Wovenu, 36, unemployed, and the children of the High Priest of the ARS at Dzodze, Nyeenyami Etse Wovenu, were remanded. The children were Mathew Lartey, 31, farmer and Otto Tormetsi, 89, and Victor Dzisenu, 80, securities of the church. Police Chief Inspector Mcrae Pomevor told the court that on August 10, 2024, Superintendent Eric Vondee, the acting Dzodze District Police Commander (the complainant) and ASP James Anaman, the Ketu Divisional Motor Transport and Traffic Department Commander, led 32 police personnel to Tadzewu. The prosecution told the court, presided over by Mr Joseph Ofosu Behome, that the leadership of the ARS had written to the police to provide security for its delegates’ Conference. Chief Insp Pomevor said on arrival at the ARS headquarters, supporters of the High Priest, numbering about 20, including the accused, had locked all the gates to the church premises, where the said conference was to take place. He said the accused and others at large prevented some members of the church from opening the main gate to the Church premises. Chief Insp Pomevor disclosed that the suspects and their collaborators attacked the police and other civilians with “stones and petrol bombs.” The court heard that some of the aggressors used “catapults to pelt the police and other civilians with stones.” Chief Insp Pomevor furthersaid that in the process, an attacker, called A4 (Mathew) pelted stones which hit D/Sgt Edward Quansah’s mouth causing him to lose some of his teeth. The prosecution said the accused also hurled stones and petrol bombs at the vehicles used to convey police personnel to the location, including a Nissan Pathfinder belonging to one of the organisers of the conference. Chief Insp Pomevor stated that, “Some of these stones and petrol bombs hit complainant’s vehicle, Toyota Hilux, with registration number GC 7669 – 20 causing extensive damage to the left windscreen, the fender, and the left side passenger door. Some of the petrol bombs also landed in the bucket of the said vehicle burning the leather used to cover the bucket,” The prosecution again noted that, the “accused also rang the church bell to draw the town folks to the scene when the police tried to drive their vehicles to safety to prevent further damage.” While the police attempted to engage the town folks, Mathew tried to stone ASP Anaman with a catapult, but missed target, hitting rather, one of the town folks, named Mr Kudjoe Hadza, injuring him severely. Chief Insp Pomevor mentioned that the police retreated and reported the matter at the Dzodze Police Station, and the personnel there referred the case to the Police Divisional Headquarters at Tokor. The court heard that four persons were arrested, while two others reported to the police in the company of their lawyer, Mr Jonathan Adzokpe. The court remanded the suspects to reappear on October 09, 2024, after Chief Insp Pomevor said investigation was ongoing and that some of the accused were at large. The ARS, founded in 1939, is the first church to accept African values and customs against conventional Christian theology of the time. The church has been embroiled in a protracted litigation over its leadership, following the demise of its founder, Mawu fe Ame Charlse Kwablavi Nutornti Wovenu. PEACEFM

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Attorney General charges CJ to direct judges to conclude galamsey cases within one month

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Attorney General and Minister for Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame has charged the Chief Justice to issue a directive to judges handling illegal mining (galamsey) cases. He urged them to conclude ongoing trials within one month from the start of the new legal year on October 10, 2024. Speaking at the Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), Mr Dame stated the urgent need for swift justice in galamsey-related cases, which has significantly damaged Ghana’s environment. In his address, the Attorney General expressed deep concern over the slow pace at which galamsey cases are being adjudicated in courts across the country. He highlighted that over 140 galamsey cases involving more than 850 accused persons are still pending in various courts, with some dating back as far as 2020. This situation, according to him, is unacceptable given the severe harm caused by illegal mining activities to the nation’s forests and water bodies. “We are in an urgent national crisis and all citizens and institutions with any form of role to play must be called to action,” Mr. Dame said, adding that the lack of urgency in resolving galamsey cases undermines the government’s efforts to curb the menace. The 2019 amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act introduced harsher penalties for those convicted of illegal mining, with a minimum 15-year prison term plus a heavy fine for Ghanaians, and a minimum 20-year sentence for foreigners. However, the Attorney General lamented that these deterrent measures are ineffective due to the slow rate of convictions. “Convictions are secured, but they come in trickles,” he noted, urging the Judiciary to prioritize these cases. “Your Ladyship, I therefore respectfully call on you to direct all judges sitting on galamsey cases to conclude the cases, the hearing of which has started, within one month from the commencement of the legal year on October 10, 2024.” Mr. Dame also criticized political figures who advocate for amnesty for galamsey offenders, stating that such actions only exacerbate the situation. “Politicians must desist from encouraging galamsey through their rhetoric and actions. Those who preach amnesty for galamsey offenders must be rejected,” he said. He added that there should be no place for leniency in addressing such crimes, given the risk posed to the lives of citizens and the future of the nation. The Attorney General’s call for expedited trials comes at a time when Ghana is grappling with the environmental and social impacts of illegal mining. With river bodies heavily polluted and forest reserves under threat, many view swift and decisive action from the Judiciary as a critical step in addressing the crisis. myjoyonline

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Democracy Hub alarmed over relocation of detained protesters by Police

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Democracy Hub, organisers of the three-day #StopGalamseyNow and #ReoccupyJulorHouse demonstrations, have raised concerns regarding the relocation of detained protesters. According to the group, reports from the legal team indicate that protesters who were detained after the demonstrations are being transferred from their initial remand locations to undisclosed police facilities without prior notice or explanation to either the protesters or their legal representatives. In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 1, the group described the development as alarming, stressing that such actions “amount to abuse of power and administrative injustice.” The group further criticized the misinformation given to the detained protesters regarding the reasons for their relocation, calling it an arbitrary and unfair use of administrative power. They also condemned the police for interrogating protesters without their lawyers present or notifying them in advance, which they said violated the protesters’ rights. “This questioning was conducted without first allowing the detainees access to their assigned legal counsel, which is a direct violation of their rights,” part of the statement read. Democracy Hub further expressed concern that the actions of the police infringe upon fair trial rights, as outlined in Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees access to legal counsel and adequate time for accused persons to prepare their defense. “These actions by the police offend fair trial rules enshrined under Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution which includes access to lawyers by accused persons and offering them adequate time and facilities to prepare their defence against the criminal charges,” it said. In light of this, Democracy Hub described the police actions as part of intimidation and manipulative tactics aimed at coercing detainees into changing their pleas. “We find these actions by the police to be highly alarming and a blatant disregard for due process and the constitutional rights of the detained individuals. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as we work to ensure their safe release,” the group added. myjoyonline

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Kuntunse Murder Case: Police awaits forensic report on gun

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The Police have conducted a forensic examination on the gun of Constable Smith Gyekyi, a policeman accused of shooting a man at Kuntunse over an alleged transport fare dispute, according to prosecutors. Chief Inspector Apewah Achana told the Adabraka District Court that the Police were therefore waiting for the forensic report. The trial Judge Ama Adomako Kwakye therefore adjourned the matter to October 10, 2024. Constable Gyekyi is being held for the murder of one Stanley Ahadzi. The Court has not taken his plea. The case of prosecution is that on Sunday August 18, 2024 at around 4:00 am, the Police received information that a male adult had been shot at the frontage of Koans Estate at Satellite Kuntunse, near Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region. Prosecution said when the Deputy Superintendent of Police Adamu Muniru, Adjen Kotoku Crime Officer and Assistant Superintendent of Police, the Night Monitoring Officer and the Case investigator, Leticia Asiedu, arrived at the scene, they discovered a 25-year-old adult, named Stanley Ahadzi, was dead and in a supine position with blood oozing from his head. The Court heard that Constable Gyekyi who was using his private car for commercial purpose, “picked” one Esther Owusua from Ablekuma Joma to Koans Estate, Kuntunse Satellite, around 3:00am on the same day. Prosecution held that while on their route, Owusua, a witness in the case, got lost and contacted Ahadzi now deceased, who agreed to meet them at Koans Gate. Prosecution said when Ahadzi arrived at the Koans Estate Gate, a quarrel ensued between him and Constable Gyekyi over the fare that was charged. The Court was told that during the argument, Constable Gyekyi became annoyed, pulled his sidearm, gave a warning shot and later shot Ahadzi to death. According to the Prosecution, Constable Gyekyi reported himself to the Amasaman Divisional Police and he was detained. During investigations, Constable Gyekyi admitted the offence, prosecution told the Court. GNA

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Akufo-Addo urges 21 new High Court judges to deliver justice promptly and fairly

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President Akufo-Addo has urged 21 newly appointed justices of the High Court of Judicature to prioritise delivering justice swiftly and impartially. He addressed the justices during their swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House on September 30, 2024, where he administered the Oaths of Office, Allegiance, and Secrecy. In his speech, the President emphasised that by taking on the responsibilities of High Court justices, these individuals have been entrusted with the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people. He stressed the importance of their roles in upholding justice and ensuring that it is accessible to all citizens. President Akufo-Addo’s remarks underscored the expectation that the justices will fulfill their duties diligently and without bias, reinforcing the public’s faith in the judiciary. “The High Court is stipulated in Article 140 of the constitution as a superior court of record with jurisdiction in all matters particularly in civil and criminal matters, its significance is undeniable. It is at the High Court that most of the work of the judiciary begins and often ends.” “It is here that the most critical decisions that affect the lives of ordinary Ghanaians are made. The authority and respect commanded by this court are essential for the proper functioning of our country. To our newly appointed justices, I say this, your task is not merely interpreting the law, it is also about ensuring that justice is served impartially and with integrity,” President Akufo-Addo remarked. “The Ghanaian people are looking up to you to demonstrate honesty, sound judgment, and a strong attachment to the rule of law. A corrupt or incompetent judge does more than fail in his or her duty, he or she, poses a significant danger to the administration of justice and the public interest,” Akufo-Addo further added. myjoyonline

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