Driver sentenced 40 years for robbery

A robber who snatched a KIA Rio taxi from its driver at gun point at Santasi in Kumasi, has been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment with hard labour by a Kumasi Circuit Court.

Maxwell Yeboah already serving a 60-year jail term for a similar offence denied the crime.

Akwasi Fosuhene, alias “Rasta” who stood trial with him for alleged complicity was however acquitted and discharged.

The court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Amo-Yartey heard that the victim, Kwame Appiah and the convict are both drivers.

On February 27th last year at about 2030 hours, Yeboah engaged Appiah to carry him in his taxi from Santasi to the Asuoyeboah SSNIT Flats.

Mid-way through the journey, the convict pulled a gun and ordered the victim to surrender the ignition key, which he did.

He drove-off and Appiah ran to inform the Police about the incident.

The next day, Appiah together with some friends mounted an intensive search for the stolen vehicle and this proved worthwhile as they chanced upon it at the IPT Junction near Asuoyeboah with Yeboah behind the wheels.

They gave him a hot chase but could not catch up with him.

The car was later found abandoned at the Abuakwa lorry terminal with the colour and registration numbers changed and carrying fake insurance and road worthiness stickers.

Police investigations led to the arrest of Yeboah and he mentioned Fosuhene as his accomplice.**