The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced the successful conviction of three Nigerian nationals involved in a string of vehicle thefts targeting parked cars across the Kumasi Metropolis.
The individuals — Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze — were apprehended on June 20, 2025, following a coordinated operation based on intelligence gathered by the Police.
The trio had been linked to multiple theft cases that had troubled residents and vehicle owners in recent months.
Legal proceedings commenced on July 22, 2025, at the Atasemanso Circuit Court, where Russell Ekenze pleaded guilty to theft-related charges and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL).
His co-accused, Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie, pleaded not guilty. However, following their trial at Circuit Court 3 on July 23, both were found guilty and each received 8 years IHL on two counts — sentences set to run concurrently.
That same day, Circuit Court 1 ruled on additional charges against all three suspects. Each was sentenced to 20 years IHL, also on two counts and to run concurrently with their existing sentences.
On July 24, Circuit Court 2 imposed a further 10-year IHL sentence on Russell Ekenze, again on two counts, with this sentence also running concurrently with his earlier convictions.
The convicts are currently incarcerated at the Kumasi Central Prison.
This comprehensive legal outcome, involving multiple courts and coordinated investigations, highlights the commitment of the Ashanti Regional Police Command and the judiciary to combat organized and transnational crime.
“This successful prosecution demonstrates our firm resolve to protect lives and property, and to ensure that those who threaten public safety face justice,” said a spokesperson for the Regional Police Command.
The Police encourage the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity promptly, reinforcing community-police collaboration in crime prevention and safety efforts.
