A 25-year-old man, Paul Avortide, also known as Tinted, has been sentenced to 19 years in prison with hard labour by the Ho Circuit Court for robbing a pregnant woman at knifepoint.
The conviction was secured on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, after investigations by the Volta Regional Police Command led to Avortide’s arrest and the recovery of a stolen mobile phone.
The incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. on May 21, 2025, at Tsikpota, near New Housing in Ho. Armed with a machete, Avortide confronted the victim, a Nigerian national identified as Ogechi Chidiebere, who was on her way to the Ho Municipal Hospital for antenatal care.
He robbed her of GH¢3,000 and a Tecno Spark 30c mobile phone valued at GH¢2,500.
Police later arrested 23-year-old Harmony Nbonu, also known as Arab Money, at the Ho Main Market on June 19, 2025. He was found in possession of the stolen phone and told investigators during interrogation that he had bought it from Avortide for GH¢850.
This led to a coordinated operation which resulted in Avortide’s arrest at Matse, a suburb of Ho, where he was reportedly hiding.
He was charged with robbery under Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended. Nbonu was separately charged with dishonestly receiving under Section 146 of the same Act.
During proceedings at the Ho Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Osman Abdul Hakeem, Avortide pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea. He was sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment with hard labour. Nbonu was acquitted and discharged.
Avortide has since been transferred to the Ho Regional Prison to begin serving his sentence.
The Volta Regional Police Command has reiterated its resolve to arrest and prosecute individuals who pose a threat to public safety and order in the region.
