Tarkwa: The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced 22-year-old Fatawu Abdellah, an ex-convict known as 'Rebel,' to 15 years' imprisonment with hard labor for robbing and threatening to stab a student. Abdellah, who denied the offense, was found guilty and convicted after a full trial.
According to Ghana News Agency, Chief Superintendent of Police Alex Odonkor, who led the prosecution, informed the court presided over by Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu that the complainant was a student residing with her mother at Bogoso. Abdellah, meanwhile, lived in Atechem Zongo within the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality. He was part of a group causing fear among hawkers, travelers, and residents of Bogoso at night, often robbing them.
The incident occurred on October 23, 2023, around 10:30 pm when the complainant was at the KEK bus terminal in Bogoso, playing a game on her Infinix Hot 9 mobile phone. Abdellah approached her from behind and attempted to snatch the phone. When the complainant resisted, Abdellah threatened to stab her, and during the struggle, he bit her right thumb before taking the phone.
The complainant reported the incident to the Bogoso police post, where she received a police medical form to seek treatment at the hospital. The medical form was later endorsed by Dr. Anthony Lucky Arthur of Bogoso Government Hospital and returned to the police.
On November 28, 2023, Abdellah was spotted in Bogoso and apprehended. Despite denying biting the complainant in his caution statement, the stolen Infinix Hot 9 mobile phone was retrieved from him, leading to his conviction.
