An Accra Circuit Court has handed down a 15-year prison sentence to 27-year-old porter Alex Abubakari for robbing Togolese trader Kofi Ametepe.
Abubakari admitted to causing harm and robbery by hitting Ametepe’s head with a pavement block and taking his belongings.
When questioned by the police, Abubakari stated that severe hunger motivated him to carry out the theft.
The court, led by Mr. [Judge’s Name], delivered the sentence. Isaac Addo took into account Abubakari’s age and guilty plea when making its sentencing decision. For inflicting harm, he was sentenced to one year, and for robbery, he got 15 years, both to be served concurrently with hard labor.
The court also ordered the return of any stolen items to the victim. Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, in charge of the prosecution, disclosed that Abubakari was unlawfully residing in Afua Sutherland Park.
On the evening of October 26, at around 8:30 p.m., Ametepe was sitting at the Bank of Africa Recreational Garden near the Octagon building in Kinbu, Accra when Abubakari approached him from behind and viciously attacked him with a pavement block, causing Ametepe to lose consciousness. Abubakari then stole Ametepe’s Infinix Hot 50i mobile phone worth GH¢1,700 and his backpack with personal belongings.
Witnesses alerted security at the Octagon building, who captured Abubakari and recovered the stolen items before handing him over to the police. Ametepe, who was bleeding heavily, was rushed to Ridge Hospital for treatment, where a medical report detailed his head injuries.
In his statement, Abubakari confessed to the crime, citing hunger as his motive for the actions.
