Two jailed 80 years for robbing pastor and congregation

Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - A Circuit Court in Accra on Friday sentenced two persons to 40 years' imprisonment each for robbing a pastor and members of the congregation of his church at Dworwulu in Accra. Yussif Quaye, an artist, and Abdallah Yahaya, a trader, were found guilty on charges of conspiracy to rob and attempt to commit crime and possession of firearms.

The court further ordered Yahaya to serve two years' jail term on a charge of attempt to commit crime.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

The case of the prosecutor, Mr Paul Assibi Abarigah, an Assistant State Attorney, was that the complainant, the Reverend Dr Yaw Baala, was a pastor of Liberty Baptist Church at Abelenkpe in Accra. The prosecution said at about 0640 hours on March 21, last year, there was a naming ceremony at the church by a member. According to the prosecutor, the congregation and another pastor were therefore waiting for Rev. Baala for the naming ceremony. The prosecutor said when Rev. Baala arrived, he parked his car and entered the church.

The prosecutor said Quaye and Yahaya followed him and Quaye pointed a pistol at him and asked him to surrender his money, mobile phone and shoes.

The prosecutor said, meanwhile, Yahaya was busily searching the congregation for money and mobile phones.

Mr Abarigah said Rev. Baala made a sign to his assistant pastor who jumped from behind. This attracted Quaye's attention as a result of which the congregation captured him.

The prosecutor said Rev. Baala held Quaye, who was then in possession of a pistol. When Yahaya saw that his accomplice had been arrested he took to his heels and jumped onto his waiting motor bike. Unfortunately, the prosecution said, the motor ran into a gutter. The congregation, therefore, apprehended the two armed robbers and a mob set the motorbike ablaze. The prosecutor said Quaye and Yahaya were handed over to the Police and in their caution statements admitted the offence. 29 Oct. 10