Driver sentenced 15 years for attempted robbery of former employer

A 32-year-old driver has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court for unlawfully entering his former employer’s home and attempting to rob the household.

Emmanuel Akpatsa was found guilty after a full trial on charges of unlawful entry and attempt to commit robbery.

He had pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The prosecution, led by Inspector Priscilla Avorgah, called four witnesses to prove its case.

The court heard that Akpatsa previously worked as a driver at the residence of Mr Callistus Mahama at Okpoi Gonno, off the Spintex Road.

He later left the job and was paid GH¢10,000 as compensation on January 22, 2025.

According to the prosecution, Akpatsa returned to Accra from Kpando in the Volta Region on May 23, 2025.

That night, he allegedly went to a drinking spot at Martey-Tsuru, where he obtained a kitchen knife from one Richard Ampiah.

At about midnight, he went to Oasis Estate, where the complainant, Gabriel Djanfosu, lived with three others.

The prosecution said Akpatsa first entered an abandoned house close to the residence in an attempt to avoid detection by CCTV cameras.

He then scaled the wall into Mr Mahama’s house.

Once inside, he allegedly armed himself with the kitchen knife and demanded that Djanfosu release a Sonlink motorbike with registration number M-25-GR 5034.

The incident happened at about 1:00 a.m. on May 24, 2025.

Djanfosu, a 29-year-old houseboy and driver, reportedly sensed danger and pretended to step outside to urinate.

He then retrieved a cutlass and called for help.

A security guard and a police officer responded and helped overpower Akpatsa.

He was taken to the Manet Police Station, where the knife was retrieved and he was detained for investigations.

The prosecution said Akpatsa admitted the offence in his statement to police.

After considering the evidence, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to 15 years in prison.