By Daniel Oppong
A man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by an Accra Circuit Court for robbing a mobile money vendor of GH¢20,725 in Mamprobi, Accra.
Alfred Boateng, a 37-year-old vulcanizer, pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful entry and robbery.
The court, under the presiding judge Mr. Bright Samuel Acquah, convicted Boateng based on his confession.
During the proceedings, Chief Inspector Ramatha Asuma, representing the prosecution, revealed that the complainant, Hanna Owusu, operates a mobile money business, while Boateng works as a vulcanizer. Both Owusu and Boateng reside in Chorkor, Accra.
Chief Inspector Asuma stated that Owusu runs her business at Mamprobi-Bamboi. On September 30, 2024, at approximately 10:00 AM, Boateng approached Owusu in her shop, asking for her mobile money number to share with someone who intended to send him money.
Owusu declined his request and suggested that he ask the sender to enable the cash-out option on their phone, allowing her to withdraw the funds for him.
The court heard that Boateng, brandishing a knife, threatened Owusu while she was in the back room of the shop.
The prosecution indicated that Boateng then attempted to strangle Owusu, during which he managed to steal GH¢20,725 from under the counter. After the theft, Boateng fled, prompting Owusu to gather her courage and pursue him while shouting, “Thief, thief.”
According to the prosecution, several people joined the chase after Boateng. Chief Inspector Asuma noted that while being pursued, Boateng scattered some of the money on the ground in an attempt to distract the crowd, but many continued after him, undeterred.
The prosecution confirmed that GH¢13,800 was recovered from Boateng at the time of his arrest.
Chief Inspector Asuma also mentioned that Boateng was assaulted by the mob and was later taken to Mamprobi Hospital for treatment before being discharged.
Additionally, the prosecution stated that a CCTV camera in the shop captured footage of Boateng committing the crime.
In his caution statement, Boateng confessed to the offense.