A 25-year-old man, Paul Avortide, has been sentenced to 19 years in prison with hard labour for robbing a pregnant woman at knifepoint in Ho, the capital of Ghana’s Volta Region.
The verdict was delivered on July 1, 2025, by Presiding Judge Osman Abdul Hakeem at the Ho Circuit Court after Avortide pleaded guilty to robbery under Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29).
According to the Volta Regional Police Command, the incident occurred at around 4:00 a.m. on May 21, 2025. The victim, Ogechi Chidiebere, was walking near the New Housing area on her way to the Ho Municipal Hospital for a routine antenatal appointment when Avortide confronted her with a machete.
He forcibly took GH¢3,000 in cash and a Tecno Spark 30c smartphone valued at GH¢2,500.
Following an investigation, police tracked the stolen phone to Ho Main Market, where they arrested 21-year-old Harmony Nbonu on June 19. Nbonu was found in possession of the device and later admitted during interrogation that he had purchased it from Avortide for GH¢850.
Nbonu was charged under Section 146 of the Criminal Offences Act for dishonestly receiving stolen property. However, he was acquitted after the court found insufficient evidence to prove he had prior knowledge of the crime.
Avortide, who was arrested shortly after in Ho’s Matse suburb during a coordinated police operation, was convicted and transferred to the Ho Regional Prison to begin his sentence.
The court’s ruling has been welcomed by local residents as a stern warning against violent crime, particularly offences targeting vulnerable individuals.
The Volta Regional Police have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting citizens and ensuring swift justice for victims of criminal acts.
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