2 Soldiers Bag 10 Years For Kidnapping and Robbing Miner In Bekwai

Two soldiers have been convicted to ten years in jail each, with hard labor, by the Asante Bekwai Circuit Court for kidnapping and robbing a small-scale miner of GH¢96,500.00.
Both 28-year-old Air Force Lance Corporal (LAC) Matthew Amoako and 33-year-old Alfred Mensah denied planning to rob and abduct Andrews Asante. But following a thorough trial, they were convicted.
Moreover, a 41-year-old driver identified as Francis Acheampong and his two other accomplices, Frimpong and Francis, who are both military men, have escaped.
Detective Chief Inspector Eric Twum told the court, which was presided over by Isaac Appeatu, that the complainant, Asante, was a small-scale miner who lived in the Asiwa area of Ametubuom. At the time, Mensah and Amoako, Air Force officers stationed in Accra and Tamale, respectively, were in Accra for a course.
Frimpong and Francis were military troops stationed in Kumasi and are presently on the run, while the driver, Acheampong, was employed by an Accra-based car rental company.
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According to the prosecution, Acheampong led the troops to his company’s secretary on November 25, 2023, after meeting them and hearing about their plans. He told him that Mensah, Amoako, and Frimpong were preparing an arrest in Konongo. After that, he hired Acheampong to drive a Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number GS 3236-17.
They left Accra around 1400 hours, and upon reaching Konongo, picked up Francis. All of the men were wearing military uniforms. The court heard that Frimpong, claiming to be from Asiwa, guided them to Ametubuom, arriving at the complainant’s residence around 0130 hours. They shouted his name, banged on his gate, and demanded he come out.
Fearing for his life, Asante refused to open the door until the gang attacked his friend, Kwabena, who had been summoned by his wife for assistance. The convicts then focused on Asante as he finally emerged, forcing him back into his home. They beat him and demanded GH¢400,000.00 for his release.
Unable to provide the full amount, the complainant borrowed GH¢10,000.00 from his mother-in-law, who lived in the same house, and handed it over to the robbers. Unsatisfied, the gang continued to beat Asante while demanding more money. He pleaded with his mother-in-law for further help, which resulted in an additional GH¢20,000.00 being given to the gang wrapped in a black polythene bag.
The prosecution continued that Amoako pushed the mother-in-law back into her room, where the gang realized she had more money. They ransacked the room, taking GH¢40,000.00, and then proceeded to Asante’s room, where they ransacked it, taking GH¢15,000.00. They also seized GH¢7,000.00 from Kwabena and the ignition key to his motorbike, intending to prevent him from giving chase.
Still not content with their loot, they forced Asante into their vehicle and continued holding him captive. During the journey, Mensah searched Asante and took an additional GH¢4,500.00 from his pocket, bringing the total to GH¢96,500.00. The police were alerted to the incident and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspects ignored the signal and sped away.
Police shot at the vehicle, which continued until it reached a broken bridge at Anwiam. Unable to cross, they abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby forest, still holding Asante hostage.
Local residents, having heard of the incident, began a search for the gang. Around 0430 hours, Mensah and Amoako were spotted in Anumso Town looking for a getaway vehicle. They were arrested by the townspeople and subsequently handed over to the police. Frimpong and Francis, realizing that Mensah and Amoako had not returned, abandoned Asante and fled through the forest.
The prosecution revealed that the two convicts eventually admitted to their crimes and named their accomplices. Mensah informed the police that the stolen items were seized by local residents who had captured them. Subsequently, law enforcement recovered a body armor, the complainant’s walking aid, and the ignition key to Kwabena’s motorbike from the gang’s hideout in the forest.
wow is good ,but this small boy did do that
they must deal with this boy according to the law