Court of Appeal Acquits Ataa Ayi's Mechanic After Wrongful Conviction

Accra, Ghana - June 5, 2025 - In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal has acquitted and discharged Yaw Asante Agyekum, who was wrongly convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2010 for conspiracy to commit murder. Agyekum's conviction was linked to his alleged involvement with notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi, who was jailed for 160 years for multiple counts of robbery.

Agyekum was arrested in 2002 and found guilty in 2010 for allegedly serving as a mechanic for Ataa Ayi's gang, active in Accra during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Nevertheless, his lawyers contended that the prosecution's evidence was inadequate to establish a connection between Agyekum and the offenses.

The Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Aboagye Tanoh, Stephen Oppong, and Janapare Bartels Kodwo, agreed with Agyekum's lawyers, noting that the prosecution's evidence was insufficient to warrant conviction and sentence.

The court subsequently set aside the conviction and acquitted Agyekum.

The case highlights concerns about the reliability of witness testimony and the importance of adequate legal representation. Agyekum had no legal representation during his initial trial, which contributed to the court's decision to overturn his conviction.

Agyekum's acquittal brings to light the need for rigorous evidence-based prosecution and the importance of protecting the rights of accused individuals.

Source: Lead News Online