The Court of Appeal has acquitted and discharged Ataa Ayi’s accomplice, Yaw Asante Agyekum, after serving over 20 years in jail for conspiracy to commit robbery.
Asante Agyekum, a mechanic, was sentenced to 35 years in December 2002 for conspiracy to commit robbery after being arrested as an accomplice to notorious robber Ayi Ayeetey, also known as Ataa Ayi
His lawyer, George Bernard Shaw, had argued that Asante Agyekum’s only link to Ataa Ayi was that most of the bikes used by the robbers in Ataa Ayi’s fraternity were repaired in his workshop.
In court on Thursday, June 5, 2025, a three member panel of Justices held that the prosecution handling the case failed to provide enough evidence to warrant the conviction and the sentence meted out.
Justice Aboagye Tanoh reading the judgement indicated that Asante Agyekum’s situation was a classic case of wrong association. He averred that it would be difficult for him to explain that he wasn’t part of the gang of the notorious Ataa Ayi if he was often seen entering the convict’s abode, citing the adage, “show me your friend, and I’ll show you your character.”
He, however, added that there are good people and the mechanic was one of such examples.
The panel further indicated that after considering the evidence in the appeal, it was evident the prosecution failed to provide enough to warrant the conviction and subsequent sentence of Yaw Asante Agyekum.
“The appellant’s appeal has succeeded, and he has accordingly been acquitted and discharged,” the Court of Appeal adjudged.
Background
Raymond Aryee Aryeetey, popularly known as Ataa Ayi, terrorised Ghanaians in the early 2000s with his syndicate of armed robbers.
He was notorious for various forms of robberies, including carjacking, jewellery looting, house raids, among others.
His name evoked fear whenever it was mentioned due to the scar he left on his victims. Despite several close calls between him and the Police, he remained a myth because his identity was not readily known or ascertained.
Luck, however, ran out on him when he was picked up at his hideout by the Police during one of the sting operations from a tipoff in February 2005.
An Accra Fast Track High Court sentenced him to 70 years and 20 years in separate cases of armed robberies.
Several accomplices, including Yaw Asante Agyekum were sentenced for their roles in robbery attacks on their victims.
Court of Appeal to rule on Ataa Ayi accomplice’s 35-year sentence on 5 June
By Laud Adu-Asare
