A 28-year-old driver, Thomas Agambaa, alias Rasta, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in an armed robbery attack on his former employer at her home in Zaare, near Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.
Agambaa was convicted by the Circuit Court ‘2’ in Accra on two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery.
The court heard that Agambaa and his alleged accomplices attacked businesswoman Grace Belkis Azure at her residence on June 12, 2022, and made away with an unspecified amount of money.
Agambaa pleaded guilty with explanation. However, the court ruled that his explanation did not constitute a defence and could only be considered in mitigation before sentencing.
According to the prosecution, led by DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye, Agambaa allegedly carried out the robbery with Banabas Akologo Abilba, alias Akoli, Basit, Justice, Thomas, alias Tommy Lee, Wizzy and Mohammed, alias Shatta.
Akologo Abilba and Wizzy are reportedly deceased, while Mohammed remains at large.
The prosecution told the court that at about 7:00 p.m. on the day of the incident, Ms Azure returned home from work with a witness, Desmond. She was operating a shop and food joint at the Bolgatanga Lorry Station.
Shortly after they entered the house, four armed men reportedly arrived on two motorbikes armed with pump-action guns and pistols.
The assailants allegedly assaulted Ms Azure and Desmond before taking an unspecified amount of money from them.
A complaint was subsequently lodged at the Bolgatanga District Police Station, leading to investigations.
Police investigations later identified Agambaa as one of the suspects. He was arrested on August 4, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m. at a hideout in Ganbibko in the Bolgatanga Metropolis.
A search during his arrest led to the recovery of an unregistered Haojue motorbike, the prosecution told the court.
Police said Agambaa admitted his involvement after he was cautioned and subsequently named other alleged members of the group.
Investigators also established that Agambaa had previously worked for Patasgo Company Limited as an ambulance driver and had served as an errand boy for Ms Azure.
According to the prosecution, his previous relationship with the victim gave him detailed knowledge of her business operations, financial dealings, movements and daily routine.
He also became acquainted with some of her workers, including Justice, who is currently wanted by the Police.
The prosecution said tensions later developed after Agambaa and Justice allegedly became dissatisfied with Ms Azure over promises they believed she had failed to fulfil. These reportedly included assistance with the construction of rooms and helping Agambaa obtain a driver’s licence.
Police investigations indicated that the grievances eventually formed part of the alleged motive for targeting Ms Azure.
Meanwhile, investigations into the wider robbery network are continuing, with the Police working to arrest the remaining suspects and recover firearms believed to have been used in the attacks.
Authorities are also seeking to establish the full extent of the alleged group’s activities in and around Bolgatanga.
