The Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Mr Baptist Filson, has sentenced a farmer to 23 years imprisonment in hard labour over robbery.

Abdulai Adams alias “Balshaka”, 21, snatched a taxi from its driver after he shot and wounded him on February 12, at about 0500 hours at Sefwi-Kwadwobikrom. He pleaded guilty.

Police Chief Inspector Lucky Goglomi said the convict engaged the services of the complainant, Kingsley Armah, to convey goods in his taxi from Sefwi-Ahinbenso to Sefwi-Bodi.

When the complainant got near Kwadwobikrom, the convict asked him to stop as he feigned picking goods from the bush. He however pulled a locally-manufactured pistol and shot Armah in the back.

The prosecution said the driver dropped to the ground in a pool of blood and the convict, got behind the steering wheel and sped off.

In spite of the fact that the complainant was bleeding profusely from his wounds, he managed to call a brother on his mobile phone and informed him of what had happened.

His relative alerted the police, who intercepted the car, arrested Adams together with the gun he used to commit the crime at a hastily- mounted barrier. While being escorted, he attempted to flee but he was chased and re-arrested.