“I Gave Ataa Ayi 70 Years So He’d Never Return to Terrorise Ghanaians” — CJ Nominee Baffoe-Bonnie

Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has justified the 70-year prison sentence he handed down to one of Ghana’s most notorious armed robbers, Ayi Ayeetey, popularly known as Ataa Ayi, saying it was necessary to protect society.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie recounted the case from his “youthful days” as a High Court judge, explaining that the severity of the sentence was driven by both the law and concern for public safety.

“The judges and magistrates, they are trained; they have sentencing guidelines,” he said. “But sometimes they have to go beyond them. In my youthful days, I gave somebody 70 years — Atta Ayi.”

He told the committee that while judicial discretion must always be guided by sentencing frameworks, there are cases where the gravity of the crime and the threat posed by the offender justify a tougher stance.

“I gave him 70 years. And what I told myself was that if Atta Ayi was given 30 years and he comes back, my family would be the first he would attack. So by the time he comes back after 70 years, I’ll be dead and gone,” he said to laughter from the committee.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie noted that judges must always balance compassion with the need to safeguard the public from dangerous criminals.

Background

Ataa Ayi was once Ghana’s most feared criminal, masterminding a string of violent armed robberies across Accra in the early 2000s.

At the height of his crime spree, police mounted one of the largest manhunts in Ghana’s history, erecting billboards with his image across five regions. He was eventually arrested in Teshie Tsui Bleo, a suburb of Accra, along with his girlfriend and accomplice.

Before his capture, police had been pursuing him and his deputy, Emmanuel Tetteh (alias Mpata), for months. The pair were linked to numerous armed attacks and thefts of cash, vehicles, and valuables and were accused of shooting several victims who resisted.

In 2005, after being convicted of multiple counts of armed robbery, Ataa Ayi was sentenced to 70 years in prison, a sentence that became one of the most talked-about rulings in Ghana’s criminal justice history.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s recollection of the case during his vetting not only drew laughter but also underscored his reputation for firmness, judicial discipline, and a deep commitment to public safety.

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