Kumasi, April 6, GNA - A Kumasi Circuit Court has jailed Akwasi Ayeaga, 50 years in hard labour for robbing a trader of her mobile phone and raping her. He pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, robbery and rape but was convicted after his accomplice let incriminated him. His accomplice, Yaw Edward was also sentenced to 25 years in jail after pleading guilty to conspiracy and robbery. Police Inspector Philip Bebli told the court presided over by Mr. Emmanuel Amoh-Yartey that the complainant was a trader living at Asufua in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District of Ashanti while the convicts were drivers.

He said on February 21, 2009, at about 2000 hours, the complainant was returning from church at Abrepo, also in Kumasi and met Edward by the side of the road.

Inspector Bebli said Edward asked the victim whether he could find a taxi cab at that moment and she answered in the positive. Minutes later, a taxi cab pulled up, driven by Ayeaga and Edward stopped it and invited the complainant to join but she told him she did not have money to pay for the fare but Edward promised to pay for her. Inspector Bebli stated that, when they got to Asufua, Ayeaga diverted the taxi through a bush path. The two pulled out a gun and a knife threatening to kill the victim and succeeded in snatching her mobile phone, after which Ayeaga forcibly had sex with her. Inspector Bebli said on February 22, 2009, the complainant informed members of her church about her ordeal the previous night. He said some witnesses who were members of the church and had heard the information of the complainant saw Edward holding a mobile phone for sale and collected it for inspection.

Inspector Bebli said after opening the phone, the witnesses saw the names of the complainant and her husband on the phone. 6 April 09