Armed robber jailed 19 years for attacking pregnant woman in Ho

The Volta Regional Police Command has announced the successful conviction and sentencing of a 25-year-old armed robber, Paul Avortide, alias “Tinted,” who pleaded guilty to a violent robbery incident that took place in May this year.

The conviction was secured on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Ho Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Osman Abdul Hakeem, Esq.

The case stems from a violent robbery that occurred on May 21, 2025, at around 4:00 a.m. at Tsikpota near New Housing, Ho.

Armed with a machete, Avortide accosted a pregnant Nigerian woman, Ogechi Chidiebere, who was on her way to the Ho Municipal Hospital for antenatal care.

He threatened her and made away with GHS 3,000 and her Tecno Spark 30c smartphone, valued at GHS 2,500.

Subsequent police investigations led to a breakthrough on June 19, 2025, when officers arrested 23-year-old Harmony Nbonu, also known as “Arab Money,” at the Ho main market.

Nbonu was found in possession of the stolen phone and revealed during interrogation that Avortide had sold it to him for GHS 850.

Acting on this lead, police mounted a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of Avortide in Matse, a suburb of Ho, where he was attempting to flee the township.

Following his arrest, Avortide was charged with robbery under Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by Act 646. Nbonu faced a charge of dishonestly receiving stolen property under Section 146 of the same Act.

At trial, Avortide pleaded guilty to the robbery charge and was convicted on his own plea. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison with hard labour. Nbonu, however, was acquitted and discharged.

Avortide has since been handed over to the Ho Regional Prison authorities to begin serving his sentence.

In a statement, the Volta Regional Police Command reiterated its commitment to rooting out crime and bringing offenders to justice.

“The Command remains resolute in its efforts to track down and bring to justice all individuals who pose a threat to peace and security in the Region,” the statement said.

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