The High Court in Accra has convicted a gang of three who pleaded guilty to 32 crimes to a total of 75 years in prison. Ishmael Akyene, also known as Israel Nana Damascus, Daniel Akpan, also known as Nseh, or Danny, and Mbuotidem Edem, also known as Faith, were all found guilty after entering guilty pleas on the charges of conspiracy, robbery, rape, and unlawful possession of a handgun.
The accusations included 12 counts of conspiracy, 16 counts of robbery, three counts of rape, and unlicensed gun possession. After finding them guilty in their own plea, the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court, presided over by Judge Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, sentenced them to 24 years in prison for robbery, another 24 years in prison for rape, and 25 years in prison for possessing guns without a permit. The prisoners are to serve their sentences concurrently, meaning they would only serve the longest of the three terms, which is 25 years, according to Murtala Inusah, Legal Affairs Correspondent for EIB Network, who was present in court.
After taking into account the defense attorney’s mitigation arguments and the answer from the prosecution, which was led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, Justice Yanzuh ruled that the convicts must perform hard labor as part of their sentences.
The Kia Rio car and guns that were found on them, as well as the destruction of the tools used, were also ordered by the court. The GHc8.500 recovered in addition to other currencies used as exhibits were to be paid to the legal owners. According to reports, the inmates stole from British volunteers who were in Ghana to take part in charity projects. In addition, they had unprotected relationships with six of the victims and twice raped a married woman.
