A Ho Circuit Court in the Volta Region has convicted three people for their participation in an armed robbery of Makafui Atsu Kumordzi, the Director of Makafui and Sons Limited, a lotto company headquartered in Ayitikope, Akatsi South Municipality.

The convicts, Nzete Chukunhru Best, 28, Mark Billy Agbozo, 31, also known as "Teacher," and Ernest Sokpi Amevor, 32, also known as "Peace Maker," were found guilty of abetment of robbery and conspiracy to robbery.

The court, presided over by Judge Felix Datsomor, sentenced Agbozo and Amevor to 25 years hard labor for each conviction, with their sentences running concurrently for a total of 50 years. Nzete Chukunhru was sentenced to 25 years in prison for abetting the heist. The sentencing occurred on Monday, December 23, 2024, following a complete trial, with the prisoners requesting leniency before their penalties were proclaimed.

According to the prosecution, lead by senior state attorney Andrews Dodzi Adugu, the three convicts carried out the heist on the night of May 29, 2021, while Kumordzi was sleeping in his Ayitikope home. The convicts arrived in a Daewoo taxicab with registration number GE 3739-12. Nzete Chukunhru, who had been dropped off earlier, served as a lookout as the others scaled the complex wall, broke into Kumordzi's home, and attacked him and his wife, Peace Lordeena Sedofia.

The thieves, armed with firearms, metal bars, and machetes, shot Kumordzi in the left thigh three times before stealing GH₵825,000, including GH₵160,000 in cash, CFA Francs worth GH₵640,000, and GH₵25,000 from Mrs. Kumordzi.

The incident was reported to the police, and Nzete was apprehended in Accra on November 26, 2021. During his interrogation, Nzete admitted to taking part in several robberies, including the Ayitikope attack, and directed investigators to Agbozo. Agbozo originally denied involvement, but later admitted to driving the group to the crime scene and dispersing the stolen funds.

Makafui and Sons Limited, which had previously been attacked by armed thieves, also faced a fatal occurrence in 2021, when one of its drivers, Dotsey Dogbatey, was slain in a similar attack while collecting lotto papers.

Attempts to apprehend the remaining accomplices in the robbery are ongoing.