A fisherman, Emmanuel Tetteh, also known as “666” and “Escoba,” has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for raping and robbing a woman in the presence of her two young children in Banana Inn, Accra.
Tetteh, who was already serving a six-year sentence for theft, denied the charges of robbery and sexual assault during his trial at an Accra Circuit Court. However, presiding judge Isaac Addo found him guilty, emphasizing the premeditated and heinous nature of the crimes.
The incident occurred on June 23, 2022, when the victim, who resides at Abolo Bridge in Banana Inn, awoke to find Tetteh in her home.
According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, Tetteh had broken into the house, opened a sliding window and burglar-proof door, and entered armed with a knife.
Tetteh threatened the victim, forcing her to hand over her Samsung Galaxy A12 phone, valued at GH¢900, and cash totaling GH¢2,090, before leading her to her bedroom.
There, he sexually assaulted her in the presence of her two daughters, aged three and five.
The prosecution detailed how Tetteh used the Ga language to issue commands, slapped the victim when she resisted, and used a bedsheet to clean himself before fleeing the scene.
Tetteh’s arrest was facilitated by a mobile phone he had previously stolen, which was equipped with a tracking device. Investigations revealed that his methods matched those used in other crimes reported in Accra.
During the trial, the prosecution presented two witnesses, while Tetteh called his wife as a defense witness. An identification parade held on July 15, 2024, confirmed him as the assailant.
Judge Isaac Addo highlighted the premeditation and brazen nature of Tetteh’s crimes, stating that his actions were evidence of a criminal mindset unfit for society. The court also noted that the rape and robbery occurred while Tetteh had a pending case at Circuit Court 10 in Accra.
The prosecution argued for the severest penalty given Tetteh’s history and the traumatic impact of his crimes on the victim and her family.
In delivering the sentence, the court emphasized the importance of protecting society from individuals like Tetteh. The 40-year sentence, one of the harshest in recent years for such crimes, sends a strong warning against acts of violence, sexual assault, and robbery.