The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by Isaac Addo, has sentenced a 27-year-old squatter, Alex Abubakar, to a total of 16 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and causing unlawful harm.
Abubakar, a porter who resides near the Afua Sutherland Park, received 15 years for robbery and an additional one-year sentence for assaulting his victim.
The court heard from Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, who outlined the facts of the case.
The complainant, Thierry Koffi Ametepe, a Togolese national and trader, was seated at the Bank of Africa Recreational Garden near the Octagon building on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at around 8:30 p.m.
As he relaxed facing the National Theater, Abubakar approached him from behind with the intent to rob.
Without warning or provocation, Abubakar struck Ametepe on the back of the head with a pavement block, knocking him unconscious.
Abubakar then seized Ametepe’s Infinix Hot 50i mobile phone, valued at GH₵1,700 along with a backpack containing his personal belongings.
A witness to the attack raised an alarm, alerting security personnel stationed at the Octagon building. They quickly apprehended Abubakar and recovered the stolen items.
Ametepe bled profusely from his head and was rushed to the Ridge Hospital for treatment. He has now regained consciousness.
Medical Personnel at Ridge Hospital documented the head injuries, issuing a medical report as part of the case.
During police investigations, Abubakar confessed to the crime, explaining that he had acted out of desperation and due to hunger.
Judge Addo, considering the seriousness of the offense and the harm inflicted, imposed a 15-year sentence for robbery and a consecutive one-year sentence for causing unlawful harm.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
