An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced 27-year-old porter Alex Abubakari to 15 years in prison for robbing Togolese trader Kofi Ametepe.
Abubakari pleaded guilty to charges of causing harm and robbery after striking Ametepe’s head with a pavement block and then stealing from him.
During police interrogation, Abubakari claimed that extreme hunger drove him to commit the crime.
The court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, considered Abubakari’s age and guilty plea in its sentencing decision. On the charge of causing harm, he received a one-year sentence, while the robbery charge earned him 15 years, with both sentences to be served concurrently with hard labor.
The court also ordered that any stolen items recovered be returned to the victim.
Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, who led the prosecution, revealed that Abubakari was a squatter at Afua Sutherland Park.
On the evening of October 26, at around 8:30 p.m., Ametepe was seated at the Bank of Africa Recreational Garden near the Octagon building in Kinbu, Accra, when Abubakari approached him from behind and, unprovoked, struck him with a pavement block, causing Ametepe to lose consciousness.
Abubakari then stole Ametepe’s Infinix Hot 50i mobile phone, valued at GH¢1,700, and his backpack containing personal items.
A witness alerted security personnel at the nearby Octagon building, who subsequently apprehended Abubakari and recovered the stolen items before handing him over to the police.
The court was informed that Ametepe, who bled profusely, was taken to Ridge Hospital for treatment, where a medical report was submitted detailing his head injuries.
In his caution statement, Abubakari admitted to the crime, reiterating that hunger had compelled him to act as he did.
ALSO READ: