Robbers ask victim to choose between rape and knife

The Odumase Krobo Circuit Court, presided over by Mr Asmah Akwasi Asiedu, has sentenced two accomplices, Stephen Adongo, unemployed, and Jacob Apenyin, alias Agah, a labourer, to 18 months prison term each.

Jacob Apenyin, the second accused, is to serve an additional 36 months. He is also to answer similar charges at the Somanya Magistrate Court.

They were fined for conspiracy to commit crime and robbery. A third accused person, Francis Dziwornu, alias Markenzy, is at large. The first accused was asked to pay for the lost items or in default serve another six months prison sentence.

Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Felicia Hlormenu, said the complainant, Patience Asiedu, was a final-year student of the Akosombo International School.

She said about 3a.m. on April 19, 2008, the complainant heard an unusual noise in their chop box room and wanted to find out what was amiss.

When she reached the veranda, the prosecutor said, the first and the second accused, who were holding a machete and a knife, respectively, rushed on her and pushed her into the box room and ordered her to kneel down. They demanded mobile phones from her but she couldn't get any for them. They then demanded money and she gave them GH¢5.

According to the prosecutor, the second accused, Jacob Apenyin, threatened the complainant and asked her to choose between being raped and sustaining knife wounds. She was given another option to pay a reasonable and handsome amount of money if she cherished her life.

The complainant, the prosecutor said, told the robbers that under such death threat, she could steal her friends' money for them. The first accused wielding the machete, then escorted her into the dormitory for the money, while the second accused picked other students' belongings, including one Philips kettle, three camp boots, and three blankets.

The prosecutor said a handsome amount of money was given to the first accused and he left. However, he claimed he regretted his actions and returned the money to the complainant on April 27, 2008 when he was arrested and he mentioned the second accused and one other person now at large as his accomplices.

The second accused admitted the offence and during investigations two boots, one Philips kettle, one towel and one blanket were found in his house.