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I Gave Ataa Ayi 70 Years to Protect My Family — Acting Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie
Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has revealed that he once sentenced notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi to 70 years in prison because he feared for his safety and that of his family.
Speaking during his vetting in Parliament on Monday, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie explained that although judges are guided by sentencing principles, they sometimes have to go beyond them in exceptional cases.
He said, “I sentenced Ataa Ayi to 70 years in prison because I feared he would attack me and my family upon his release. You see, there are so many reasons. The magistrates have the sentencing guidelines, but sometimes they have to go beyond that.”
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said that at the time of sentencing, he believed a shorter jail term would have endangered his family after the convict’s release.
“If Ataa Ayi was given 30 years and he comes back, my family would be the first one he would attack. So by the time he comes back after 70 years, I will be dead and gone,” he added.
The Acting Chief Justice also used the occasion to call for reforms in Ghana’s justice system, including the introduction of community service and parole as alternative forms of punishment.
He explained that such measures could help decongest the country’s overcrowded prisons and make offenders face the consequences of their actions in a way that benefits society.
“Punishments are not only for the person being punished but also to deter others,” he said, adding that community service could be assigned around the area where the offence was committed to serve as a lesson to the public.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie further urged lawmakers to consider laws that make community sentences and parole a permanent part of Ghana’s judicial process.
By: Jacob Aggrey
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
