A mason has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for snatching a taxi from its driver and taking the driver’s two mobile phones.
John Appiah, aka Kwabena Brefo, and his accomplice,who is now on the run,are said to have attacked the taxi driver and absconded with his vehicle after stopping him at the Ghana International Trade Fair site at La in Accra.
Appiah was charged with conspiracy to commit crime and robbery by the Accra Circuit Court.
In his defence, he acted like a mentally challenged person before the court, presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh.
Mentally stable
As a result of Appiah’s alleged mental instability,the court referred him to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital for examination.
Passing sentence yesterday, the court held that findings from the hospital indicated that Appiah was not suffering from any mental illness.
“Upon thorough examination,there was no iota of evidence indicating that he was suffering from mental illness.There is also no evidence that attested to the fact that he hadsuffered from any mental illness. “He, therefore, tried to throw dust in theeyes of the court,’’ the court held.
It, however, acquitted and discharged him on the charge of conspiracy, explaining that “he cannot conspire against himself.”
Facts
According to the facts of the case, as presented by the prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Kwame Owusu Bempeh, about 12 midnight on June 10, 2016, Appiah and his accomplice stopped the taxi driver and complainant in the case in front of the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre.
He said Appiah and his accomplice asked the taxi driver to convey them to Labone and the driver charged them GH¢10.
Appiah then asked the driver to come out of the car and put their luggage in the boot, and while he did so with the engine on,Appiah and his accomplice entered the car.
The prosecutor said the taxi driver attempted to open the vehicle and prevent the two from driving off but Appiah pulled a knife and pushed the driver with his leg.
He said the taxi driver sustained injuries and the two accomplices drove the car away.
On June 12, 2016, the prosecutor said Appiah was arrested at his hideout at Assin Nsuta in the Central Region.
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