Two soldiers sentenced to 10 years for kidnapping and robbery of small-scale miner

The Asante Bekwai Circuit Court has sentenced two Air Force personnel to 10 years of imprisonment each, with hard labor, for kidnapping and robbing a small-scale miner of GH₵96,500.00.

Lance corporals Alfred Mensah, 33, and Matthew Amoako, 28, both denied the charges of conspiracy to rob and kidnapping but were found guilty after a full trial.

Three other accomplices, identified as Frimpong and Francis—both soldiers—and Francis Acheampong, a 41-year-old driver, are currently at large.

Detective Chief Inspector Eric Twum, narrating the events, said the complainant, Mr. Andrews Asante, is a small-scale miner residing at Ametubuom near Asiwa in the Ashanti Region. The convicted soldiers were based in Accra and Tamale but were attending a course in Accra. Acheampong, the driver, worked for a car-rental company in Accra.

On November 25, 2023, Acheampong, aware of the soldiers’ robbery intentions, rented a Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number GS 3236-17 under the pretense that the soldiers were going on an arrest mission in Konongo.

The group, dressed in military uniforms, picked up Francis in Konongo and proceeded to Ametubuom. At around 1 :30 a.m., they arrived at the complainant’s residence, banging on his gate and demanding his presence.

For fear of his life, Mr. Asante initially refused to come out but eventually complied after they attacked a friend, Kwabena, who had come to his aid.

The gang forced Mr. Asante back into his house, beating him and demanding GH₵400,000. Unable to meet their demand, Mr. Asante borrowed GH₵10,000 from his mother-in-law, who lived in the same house. She later provided an additional GH₵20,000.

The robbers, unsatisfied, ransacked the mother-in-law’s room and took GH₵40,000. They also searched the complainant’s room, seizing GH₵15,000. Additionally, they confiscated GH₵7,000 from Kwabena, along with the ignition key to his motorbike, to prevent pursuit.

In total, the gang collected GH₵96,500. They then forced Mr. Asante into their vehicle, holding him hostage while continuing their escape.

The police, tipped off about the incident, signaled the vehicle to stop, but the gang sped off. Officers fired at the car, but the group continued until they encountered a broken bridge at Anwiam. Abandoning the vehicle, they fled into a forest with the complainant.

Community members, informed of the robbery, joined the search. At around 4 :30 a.m., Mensah and Amoako emerged at Anumso, seeking a getaway vehicle. They were arrested by locals and handed over to the police.

The other accomplices abandoned Mr. Asante in the forest and escaped. During the investigation, Mensah and Amoako admitted their crimes and implicated their accomplices.

Items recovered included body armor, the complainant’s walking aid, and Kwabena’s motorbike ignition key.

The court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Appeatu, found Mensah and Amoako guilty of kidnapping and robbery, sentencing them to 10 years in prison each with hard labor. The three accomplices remain at large, and efforts are underway to apprehend them.

This case underscores the dangers posed by rogue elements within security agencies and the commitment of the authorities to uphold justice.

Source: Graphiconline

 

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