Barber found guilty of conspiracy and robbery

By Erica Apeatua Addo

Tarkwa (W/R), October 31, GNA – Barber Richard Amoako, 26, was sentenced to 20 years hard labor by the Tarkwa circuit court.

The barber conspired with a deceased 30-year-old bricklayer named Paa Kwasi to rob a gold purchasing office at Wassa Nkonya in Wassa Amenfi East municipality.

Amoako, popularly known as Jordan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and robbery.

The presiding judge, Ms Hathia Ama Manu, sentenced Amoako to 20 years hard labor for both offences, but the sentences will run concurrently.

The prosecutor, Superintendent of Police, Alex Odonkor, said the complainant, Richard Quansah, owned a gold buying office of the “Same God” in Wassa Nkonya but resided in Wassa Adiembra.

He said the victim, Osman Adams, was 22 years old and an employee of the complainant lived in Wassa Nkonya, while Amoako and Paa Kwasi were residents of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

According to the prosecution, on October 14, 2024, Amoako and his counterpart went to Wassa Mampong and its surroundings on a robbery trip.

He said that on October 16, 2024, at around 12:30 pm, Amoako and Paa Kwasi rode a motorbike to Wassa Nkonya, where they bought a machete and hid it in their clothes to carry out the plan they had previously devised.

He said the duo approached the complainant’s gold purchasing office and laid an ambush until they detected Adams alone in the office.

The prosecutor said Amoako and the deceased were carried to the office with the gold wrapped in a black polythene bag under the pretext of offering it for sale.

Amoako occupied the victim in weighing the small piece of gold, while Paa Kwasi drew the knife and cut his neck, where a deep cut was made and blood flowed profusely.

The victim started screaming for help but Amoako and Paa Kwasi felt they might be caught and immediately gave chase and some residents took Adams to Wassa Akropong Government hospital for treatment.

Superintendent of Police Odonkor said the townspeople caught Amoako and his accomplice beat them severely until the Wassa Nkonya police received notice, went to rescue them and transported them to Wassa Akropong Government hospital for medical attention.

He said Paa Kwasi was declared dead, while Amoako was treated, discharged and sent to the police station for questioning.

The prosecution said that during the investigations, Amoako confirmed that he conspired with the deceased to commit the crime and that the knife they used in the operation was taken and kept at the police station for evidence.

During its verdict, the court also ordered Amoako’s family to pay costs of GHS10,000 to the victim’s boss, Richard Quansah.

GNA