6 armed robbers jailed 230 years | Crime

Six armed robbers who attacked the Compass Oleum gas station in Akame on the Accra-Aflao road and their accomplice have been punished with a total of 230 years in prison by the Ho High Court.

The convicts, Philip Awu, aka Flat Body; Kofi Avorkah, Ebenezer Mensah, alias Vulture; Hebron Dotsey, Paul Ahiabli and Dogbatsa Elolo, faced two counts of conspiracy to commit the crime of robbery and theft, while their accomplice, Torgbi Sewordzi, had one count of complicity in the crime of robbery.

They are said to have robbed the station three years ago, shot the manager, one David Foli, and took off with $ 5,000 and a motorcycle.

Yesterday, all those convicted were found guilty after a full trial in court, presided over by Judge Eric Baah, a judge of the Court of Appeals, with additional responsibilities as a High Court judge.

Sentence

Each of the six thieves was sentenced to 30 years in prison for each count, and they will be executed at the same time.

Torgbi Sewordzi, however, received a 50-year prison sentence for being the mastermind of the theft at the service station by providing the other weapons for the crime.

The judge described Sewordzi as a dangerous person who was in no condition to be in society due to the way he conducted himself.

Acts

The facts presented to the court by the State Attorney, Mr. Andrews Adugu, are that on June 19, 2017, around 10 at night, Adams Freeman, a driver of a Toyota Corolla with registration number GG 1814, was traveling. -15 and Eric Ramsey Adams. from Aflao to Accra.

Upon arriving at the Akame gas station, they stopped to buy gasoline, but were attacked by inmates who were armed with pistols and machetes.

They reportedly managed to steal $ 5,000 and other valuables from Eric Adams.

Manager shot

In the course of the robbery, Hebron shot the manager, David Foli, in the left rib and fled the scene on a motorcycle.

One of the prisoners also inflicted machete wounds on a Richmond Segbefia who sustained deep wounds to his back and was rushed to hospital for treatment.

The manager bled profusely and was also rushed to Ketu South Municipal Hospital for treatment. He was later referred to Korle Bu University Hospital in Accra, where he passed.

Arrest

The convicts went into hiding but were later arrested in their hiding places.

During questioning, they reportedly denied their involvement in the criminal act.

However, Dogbatsa Elolo admitted the crime in her warning statement and revealed that it was Torgbi Sewordzi who hired them and supplied them with two locally made pistols and one pump action pistol for the robbery.

Investigations carried out by the police revealed the participation of those convicted in the operation and they were later prosecuted and sent to court, which led to their eventual imprisonment.