Highway robber jailed 18 years
A member of a highway robbery gang that attacked a VIP bus at New Jejeti on the Accra–Kumasi Highway in November last year was yesterday sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment by the Accra Circuit Court.
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Mohammed Abubakar, alias Karim Burger, a Nigerien, who appeared in court in crutches as a result of gunshot wounds he sustained during the robbery, pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery and was sentenced on his own plea.
Two alleged members of the gang, Osman Omaro and Abubakari Aliu, pleaded not guilty to the same charges and were remanded by the court, presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh.
“Forgive me’’
Before the sentence was passed by the presiding judge, Abubakar pleaded with the court to forgive him, explaining that he had regretted his actions.
“As I stand here, I am suffering from the consequences of my actions. I was shot during the incident and cannot walk properly. There is still a bullet in my leg that has not been removed,’’ he pleaded.
A lawyer, Mr Delayo Alifo, who was present in the courtroom, also pleaded for mercy for Abubakar.
He prayed the court not to impose a harsh sentence on Abubakar because he was a first-time offender.
“He also readily pleaded guilty to the charges in order not to waste the time of the court,’’ Mr Alifo added.
Abubakar had already spent nine months in custody.
Judgement
In passing sentence, however, the court held that even though it had taken Abubakar’s pleas into consideration, it had to give a sentence that would be deterrent enough.
“The magnitude and severity of the offence, in which he deprived numerous passengers of their belongings, and the trauma he caused them call for a sentence that will deter other people from engaging in such acts,” the judge held.
The court sentenced Abubakar only on the charge of robbery and deferred that of conspiracy.
“Given the fact that the other two accused persons may not be found guilty, the sentence on conspiracy is deferred until the trial is completed,’’ it said.
Omaro and Aliu’s case was adjourned to September 9, 2016.
Facts
Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Abraham Annor, said on November 15, 2015, Abubakar, Omaro and Aliu, together with five other persons wielding AK 47 assault rifles and pump action guns, launched a robbery operation on the Accra-Kumasi highway.
Attack
The gang, he said, took positions at a high-ramped spot at New Jejeti “and attacked many occupants of various vehicles for their property and money’’.
“A VIP bus with over 40 passengers was caught up in the attack but a passenger on board managed to escape and called the police at Anyinam. The police swiftly moved in to the scene,’’ he said.
Mr Annor said the robbers, on seeing the police, started shooting at them as they (robbers ran into the bush.
“Abubakar sustained a gunshot injury in the process and was abandoned in the bush by his accomplices. On November 19, Abubakar, in severe pains, crawled out of the bush to seek assistance. He was sent to hospital, where he was arrested,’’ the prosecutor explained.
