Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has defended the 70-year prison sentence he handed down two decades ago to the country’s most notorious armed robber, Ayi Ayeetey, popularly known as Atta Ayi, saying the decision was guided by judicial discretion and public safety.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie recalled the case from his “youthful days,” explaining that sentencing guidelines serve as a framework, but judges must sometimes look beyond them.
“The judges and magistrates, they are trained, they have sentencing guidelines,” he said. “But sometimes they have to go beyond it. In my youthful days, I gave somebody 70 years, Atta Ayi.”
He added that his reasoning at the time was influenced by the need to protect society and potential victims.
“I gave him 70 years. And what I told myself was that if Atta Ayi was given 30 years and he comes back, my family will be the first he will attack. So by the time he comes back after 70 years, I will be dead and gone,” he said lightheartedly, drawing laughter from the audience.
Background
Atta Ayi was once described by police as Ghana’s most wanted criminal. His violent robbery spree across Accra in the early 2000s prompted one of the country’s largest manhunts, with billboards displaying his image across several regions.
He was eventually arrested in Teshie Tsui Bleo, a suburb of Accra, along with his girlfriend, who was suspected to be an accomplice. His deputy, Emmanuel Tetteh, also known as Mpata, was later captured and reportedly provided information that led to Ayi’s arrest.
Police identified Atta Ayi as the mastermind behind numerous armed robberies involving the theft of cash, vehicles, jewellery, and other valuables, and he was convicted in 2005 on multiple counts of armed robbery.
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