Two retired soldiers and nine others who robbed a gold-buying company at Wassa Akropong in the Western Region have been sentenced to a total of 252 years in hard labor by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.
Emmanuel Tetteh, alias ‘Rocky Study,’ a retired soldier now working as a private security officer, and Samuel Agbadoku, an unemployed retired soldier, along with Isaac Adjei, a private security officer, Frank Afavi, alias ‘Hero,’ a fetish priest, Yaw Adzevi, a kente weaver, and Anthony Ayivie Kwame Senyo, alias ‘Shoto,’ a driver, were each sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Pascal Korku Atatsitsey, alias ‘Mezaya,’ and Dodzi Awali, both fetish priests, Dickson Kumedzro, alias ‘Jaggar,’ a farmer, and Ruben Kportufe, alias ‘Offei,’ a self-proclaimed businessman, were each handed 25-year sentences. Meanwhile, Mohammed Buzu, alias ‘Meme,’ an ex-convict, will serve 50 years.
Charged with conspiracy and robbery, they denied the offence, which occurred in 2018, and pleaded for leniency. However, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isaac Babayi urged the court to impose severe punishments to deter others, stating, “These offenders do not deserve mercy.”
The complainant, Mr. Prince Dennis, is the Wassa Akropong branch manager of AU Resources Ghana Limited, a gold dealership, and Adjei was a security guard at the company. The remaining convicts reside in various locations across the Greater Accra and Volta Regions.
In September 2018, Adjei informed Tetteh about the company’s gold and proposed a robbery. Tetteh enlisted Agbadoku, who then recruited more accomplices, including Atatsitsey, Afavi, Kumedzro, Adzevi, Awali, and Peter Adoku, now at large.
On October 1, 2018, the group traveled to Wassa Akropong and attempted the robbery, but lacked weapons. Afavi then contacted Buzu and Adoku, who joined with weapons on October 5, 2018.
The next day, Atatsitsey, Kumedzro, Awali, Buzu, and Adoku, armed with guns and knives, robbed the company of 7.5 kilograms of refined gold worth GH¢1,543,500, six mobile phones valued at GH¢4,800, and GH¢250,000 in cash. The robbery was captured on CCTV.
The robbers fled to Kasoa and were later arrested following a tip-off. A search revealed an Italian pistol, knives, a hammer, and a talisman. During the investigation, several convicts confessed and implicated others.
Awali was later arrested near Dzodze, while Tetteh was apprehended at Kyebi. Agbadoku was traced and arrested in Akatsi. The gold and cash were reportedly in Buzu and Adoku’s possession, but Buzu claimed Adoku took them to Benin.
The court declared Adoku wanted and ordered his apprehension for prosecution.