Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Chief Justice nominee, dey defend the 70-year jail sentence wey he give Atta Ayi, Ghana ein most notorious armed robber, about 20 years ago. He talk say ein decision base on judicial discretion and public safety.
During ein appearance before Parliament ein Appointments Committee, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie remember the case from ein “youthful days.” He explain say sentencing guidelines dey serve as framework, but judges for sometimes look beyond them. He talk say judges and magistrates dey train well, and dem get sentencing guidelines, but sometimes dem for go beyond am.
“I give am 70 years. And wetin I tell myself be say if dem give Atta Ayi 30 years and he come back, my family go be the first wey he go attack. So by the time he come back after 70 years, I go don die and go,” he talk dey joke, wey people laugh.
Atta Ayi Ein Reign of Terror
Police describe Atta Ayi as Ghana ein most wanted criminal. Ein violent robbery spree for Accra for the early 2000s make dem do one of the biggest manhunts for the country. Billboards wey show ein face dey all over the regions.
Dem arrest am for Teshie Tsui Bleo, one suburb for Accra, plus ein girlfriend, wey dem suspect say she be accomplice. Ein deputy, Emmanuel Tetteh, wey people know as Mpata, later dem catch am and he give information wey lead to Ayi ein arrest.
The Conviction
Police identify Atta Ayi as the mastermind behind plenty armed robberies wey involve cash, vehicles, jewellery, and other valuable things. Dem convict am for 2005 on multiple counts of armed robbery. The judge dey stand by ein decision to protect the public from the actions of Atta Ayi.