The Ho Circuit Court has jailed a 25-year-old man for 19 years with hard labour for attacking and robbing a pregnant woman of her cash and cellular phone at Tsikpota near New Housing.
According to a statement released by the Police, Paul Avortide, alias “Tinted,” was convicted on his own plea of guilt by the court presided over by Mr. Osman Abdul Hakeem.
However, his accomplice, Harmony Nbonu, 23, also known as “Arab Money,” was acquitted and discharged by the court after being found innocent at the end of the trial.
Avortide has since been handed over to the Ho Regional Prison authorities to begin his prison term.
Police told the court that Avortide, on May 21, 2025, at about 0400 hours, wielding a machete, threatened Madam Ogechi Chidiebere, a Nigerian, the complainant and victim, resident in Ho.
Avortide robbed the victim of GH¢3,000.00 and Tecno Spark 30c mobile phone valued at GH¢2,500.00 while on her way to antenatal care at the Ho Municipal Hospital.
Prosecution said on June 19, 2025, at about 1800 hours, the Regional Police Intelligence team arrested Nbonu at the Ho main market in possession of the stolen phone.
During interrogations, he mentioned Avortide as the one who sold the phone to him at GH¢ 850.00, the court heard.
Police said coordinated efforts between them and the Nbonu, led to the arrest of Avortide at Matse, a suburb of Ho.
The Court was told that after Police investigations, Avortide was charged with the offence of robbery, contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (ACT 29) as amended by the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act, 2003 (ACT 646), while Nbonu was charged with the offence of dishonestly receiving, contrary to Section 146 of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (ACT 29).
However, after trial, he was found innocent.
Below is the statement from the Police:
