The Bekwai Circuit Court has sentenced two military officers to 10 years imprisonment for their involvement in robbery and kidnapping.
The complainant, a small-scale miner residing in Ametubuom, a suburb of Asiwa, was the victim of this crime.
The first accused (A1) is an Air Force officer based in Accra, while the second accused (A2) is also an Air Force officer stationed in Tamale but undergoing training in Accra.
A third accused (A3) is a driver employed by a car rental company, and two other suspects, identified as A4 and A5, who are also military officers, remain at large.
On November 25, 2023, A3, after conspiring with A1, A2, and A4, arranged to rent a vehicle under the guise of carrying out an arrest in Konongo.
They secured a Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number GS 3236-17 and set off from Accra. Along the way, they picked up A5, also in military uniform.
At around 1:30 am, the group, led by A4, stormed the complainant’s residence in Ametubuom.
Pretending to be on official duty, they knocked heavily on the door and demanded the complainant come out.
Fearing for his safety, the complainant refused to open the door. However, his wife, Evelyn Biago, contacted a neighbor, Kwabena, for assistance.
When Kwabena arrived, he was immediately attacked and severely beaten by the accused persons.
Fearing for his friend’s life, the complainant opened the door but was also assaulted and pushed back into his room.
The accused then demanded GHC 400,000 from the complainant. Despite his claims of not having the money, they continued to beat him.
Out of fear, the complainant’s mother-in-law gave them GHC 10,000, but the assailants demanded more.
She later provided an additional GHC 20,000 wrapped in a black polythene bag, which was handed over to the attackers.
The court found A1 and A2 guilty of robbery and kidnapping, sentencing them to 10 years in prison.
Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.