Bekwai Circuit Court Sentences 26-Year-Old Cobbler to 15 Years for Armed Robbery

Thomas Opoku, a 26-year-old cobbler also known as Akwasi Dekye, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Bekwai Circuit Court following his conviction for armed robbery. The ruling, delivered by His Honour Isaac Appiatu on August 6, 2026, concludes a legal process that began with an incident near the Kokofu Nursing Training School in June. The court found Opoku guilty of attacking a victim at gunpoint to steal personal belongings, a crime that has drawn attention to public safety concerns in the Bekwai municipality. The prosecution established that on June 12, 2026, Opoku and an accomplice, who remains at large, accosted Divine Adu Boaheng. During the confrontation, the duo used a firearm to intimidate the victim before making off with a mobile phone and an unspecified amount of cash. The victim's ability to identify the suspect proved crucial to the case; Opoku was spotted and apprehended by police six days after the robbery, on June 18. Following the arrest, law enforcement officials successfully recovered the stolen mobile device, which served as key evidence during the trial. While Opoku has now begun his lengthy prison sentence, the Ghana Police Service continues its search for the second suspect involved in the robbery. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to tracking down the remaining perpetrator and have encouraged members of the public with relevant information to come forward. The 15-year sentence reflects the judiciary's firm stance against violent crime and serves as a deterrent to others in the region. As the Bekwai community processes the outcome, the case highlights the importance of swift reporting and community vigilance in assisting law enforcement to secure convictions.