A 22-year-old illegal miner, Emmanuel Yeboah, also known as AKwesi Sarpong, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Tarkwa circuit court for his involvement in the robbery of Kofi Turkson, the manager of the Apinto government hospital's mortuary.

Yeboah pleaded guilty with an explanation to conspiracy to commit crime and robbery, claiming he never intended to commit the crime. However, the court, presided over by Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, rejected his explanation, citing the increasing prevalence of such crimes, and convicted Yeboah to serve as a deterrent to others.

According to Superintendent Juliana Essel-Dadzie, the prosecutor, the incident occurred on February 13, 2024, at around 21:20 hours. Turkson encountered Yeboah and his partner, Kwesi, on his way home after work. The duo attacked Turkson with a piece of wood and a knife, inflicting wounds on his left ring finger and nose, and robbed him of two mobile phones valued at GH¢4,800 and GH¢1,000 in cash before fleeing.

Turkson raised the alarm, and residents in the neighborhood, including Charles Acquah, responded and attempted to apprehend the culprits. During the pursuit, Kwesi inflicted a knife wound on Acquah's head. Yeboah was eventually apprehended by the mob and subjected to severe beatings.

Turkson reported the incident to the police, who rescued Yeboah and the complainants, and took them to the Apinto Government hospital for medical attention. Subsequently, Turkson and Acquah lodged an official complaint at the Tarkwa police station.

In his caution statement, Yeboah confessed to conspiring with Kwesi to rob Turkson. The police have initiated investigations to apprehend Kwesi and bring him to justice.

The court's decision underscores the seriousness of such crimes and aims to deter others from engaging in similar illegal activities.