- Yaw Mensah was found guilty of robbing a taxi driver at gunpoint
- He received a 15-year prison sentence despite claiming innocence
- The robbery is part of a larger investigation into a series of crimes in the Greater Accra Region
A 42-year-old man, Yaw Mensah—nicknamed Red—has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by an Accra Circuit Court for robbing a taxi driver at gunpoint.
The court, under the authority of Judge Susana Eduful, found him guilty after a full trial.
Despite his conviction, Mensah maintained his innocence, stating, “God knows my heart that I did not commit the crime. But if the court thinks I am guilty, I thank the court.”
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Teye Okuffo, detailed the events of September 6, 2023. Around 3:40 a.m.,
Mensah hired the taxi driver for a ride from Kwame Nkrumah Interchange to Sabon-Zongo Market. Upon arriving in Ayigbe Town, Mensah threatened the driver with a pistol, demanding he stop the car.
In a violent confrontation, Mensah dragged the driver out and took control of the vehicle, speeding off to Agbogbloshie Market, where he parked it. Along with an accomplice still at large, Mensah sought a buyer for the stolen car.
The National Police Intelligence Directorate acted on a tip-off and arrested an associate of Mensah on September 8, 2023, which eventually led to Mensah’s capture. During questioning, he admitted to hiring the driver and described the robbery.
Following the incident, the police linked Mensah and his accomplices to a string of robberies in the Greater Accra Region, prompting further investigations into their criminal activities.
