The court, presided over by Jonathan Avoogo, sentenced him to 10 years’ hard labour after he pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery, possession of firearms without lawful authority, and preparing to commit a crime, to wit robbery.

The court consequently convicted him on his own plea and sentenced him accordingly.

Facts

According to the facts as presented to the court by the prosecution, on July 30, 2025, the convict was involved in a fatal accident at Bugubelle, a town in the Sissala East District, and the police were called in to assist the victims.

While assisting the injured, the police discovered that the convict had in his possession ammunition and an offensive weapon.

He claimed ownership of the items and was subsequently arrested. Through interrogation, he allegedly confessed to the police his involvement in robberies in the Sissala East District and mentioned some of his accomplices, who are currently on the run.

The police are currently on a manhunt for his accomplices.

Source: Graphic.com.gh

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The Wa Circuit Court, on June 5, 2025, sentenced Adams to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

In a statement, the police explained that in February 2025, Gyida and a masked accomplice robbed a victim of a blue Honda motorcycle valued at GH¢20,000, a Tecno mobile phone worth GH¢1,300, and cash totaling GH¢10,800.

Following intelligence-led operations, Gyida was apprehended on June 1, 2025, at Domowa in the Wa West District.

This conviction underscores the Command’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding the community and upholding the rule of law.

The Regional Command has reassured the public of its continued dedication to combating crime and ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

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The court found the defendants guilty of violating section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act and section 99 of the Minerals and Mining Act as amended, marking a decisive stance against unlawful mining practices.

The conviction follows the arrest of the individuals on March 23 at an illegal mining site in Maase, Wa West district, after law enforcement officers received a tip-off about ongoing illegal mining activities in the area.

Upon their arrest, the accused attempted to flee the scene but were swiftly apprehended by the police. 

A subsequent search of the site led to the discovery of three water-pumping machines and various other mining implements, solidifying the evidence against them.

During interrogation, the defendants admitted to mining without a license, citing their previous engagement in Burkina Faso and their migration to Ghana due to drought conditions.

The court convicted the defendants on two counts: conspiracy to commit a crime (mining without a licence) and mining without a license as non-Ghanaian nationals, underscoring the severity of their actions.

Commenting on the ruling, Principal State Attorney Saeed Abdul Shakur emphasised the significance of the conviction as a deterrent to others involved in illegal mining activities. He noted that the accused were caught red-handed and could not refute their involvement, leading to the imposition of the minimum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for foreigners engaged in illegal mining in Ghana.

The Principal State Attorney highlighted the circumstances of the arrests, stating: “They were caught actually in the act, they were inside the pit when they were arrested. Eventually, they couldn’t do anything.”

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Rashid Anaata, the suspect, was arrested at the weekend and arraigned before the Wa Circuit Court and was subsequently remanded to enable the police to conclude its investigations. 

Mr Saeed Abdul Shakur, the Principal State Attorney in the Upper West Region, told the media in Wa that the suspect was denied bail, considering the gravity of the crime he was suspected to have committed and the risk of reprisal attack on him by some members of the public. 

“Someone who has left the district before, we cannot be sure he will not escape, considering the gravity of the offences and the punishment that will be meted out if he is convicted. 

“We are talking about a minimum of eight years and a maximum of 25 years in each of the counts, if we succeed with the case he might be going in for a long term, so if the court allows him on bail, we might not get him to try. 

“We also say that it is in his own interest because of the anger, you can gauge the anger in society … if such a person is charged loose we might not even get him to try, people might take the law into their own hands, so in order to prevent that situation too, we prayed the court to keep him in custody,” the Principal State Attorney explained. 

Mr Shakur assured the public that the trial would be fast-tracked because of the immense public interest in the matter, and cautioned the public against any attempt to influence the prosecution witnesses in the case and that anyone caught in that would be made to face the full rigours of the law. 

In May 2023, the suspected paedophile fled Wa after he was accused by some girls of defilement in a viral video on social media. 

It was alleged that Rashid Anaata, a celebrated Islamic Wedding Master of Ceremony in Wa, defiled about 30 children in Wa. 

Following the allegations by the girls, Mr Eliasu Baba Yussif, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bahass Foundation in Wa, lodged a formal complaint with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service on behalf of the alleged victims. 

Rashid Anaata was first arrested in 2014 for allegedly defiling some children but was left off the hook, which Mr Shakur attributed to the interference of some members of society. 

Mr Shakur, however, said, “This time round we have all plans in place to ensure that nobody goes behind anywhere to touch any of the witnesses, we are going through this trial, and we are doing it expeditiously, the evidence is solid.”

Scores of members of the public thronged the court premises on Monday morning, August 7, 2023, to catch a glimpse of the suspect in court.

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