Two Men Sentenced to 15 Years Each for Robbery and Rape of Teen Hairdresser on Apollonia-Afienya Road
Gbetsile, Ghana – Two men, Nicholas Tetteh and Joseph Tetteh, have been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each by the Gbetsile Circuit Court for the robbery and rape of a 19-year-old hairdresser along the Apollonia-Afienya road on September 27, 2025, in a case that has sparked public outrage over violent crime.
The incident occurred when the victim hired Nicholas Tetteh, an okada rider, to transport her to Afienya. According to police reports, Tetteh conspired with Joseph Tetteh and another accomplice to ambush the young woman, dragging her into a nearby bush where two of them sexually assaulted her. The assailants also stole her iPhone XR and a handbag containing GH¢150.
The victim promptly reported the assault to the Zenu–Atadeka District Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), where she received medical care and provided a statement to investigators. Swift police action led to the arrest of the suspects, who were charged with robbery and rape under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Following their arraignment, the Gbetsile Circuit Court handed down the 15-year sentences, which legal experts say align with the statutory range for rape (5-25 years) and exceed the typical penalty for robbery (up to 14 years). The court likely imposed concurrent terms for the offenses, reflecting judicial balance for the aggravated nature of the group assault and theft.
The sentencing has drawn mixed reactions. Some community members on platforms like X praised the court’s decisiveness, while others, citing the violent nature of the attack, argued for harsher penalties closer to the 25-year maximum for rape. Advocacy groups like FIDA-Ghana have called for stronger deterrents in group assault cases, but the 15-year terms are consistent with recent precedents, such as a 2023 Accra case where similar offenses drew 18-year sentences.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about violent crime in Ghana, particularly in peri-urban areas like Apollonia-Afienya, and highlights the critical role of DOVVSU in supporting victims. The third accomplice remains at large, with police continuing investigations.
