The Court of Appeal has acquitted and discharged Yaw Asante Agyekum, a mechanic wrongly convicted in 2002 and sentenced to 35 years in prison for alleged association with notorious armed robber Raymond Aryee-Ayitey, aka “Ataa Ayi”.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Janapare A. Bartels-Kodwo, ruled in Agyekum’s favor on June 5, 2025, after he had served 23 years.
The court held that Agyekum’s inclusion in the robbery was likely an attempt by other accused persons to implicate him.
Justice Aboagye Tandoh, who read the judgment, noted that while it was challenging for Agyekum to prove his innocence, he appeared to be a victim of circumstance.
The court cited the adage “Show me your friend, and I will show you your character.”
The panel, which also included Justice Stephen Oppong, found that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to warrant conviction and sentence.
Consequently, the court set aside Agyekum’s conviction and acquitted and discharged him.
Agyekum’s lawyer, George Bernard Shaw, described the decision as “orgasmic,” allowing his client to walk free after 23 years. Agyekum, who was 24 years old in 2002, is now 47.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
