Yaw Asante Agyekum, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2010 alongside notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi, has been acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal.
Agyekum was initially arrested at age 24 in 2002 and later convicted of conspiracy to commit murder. He was accused of being a mechanic for Ataa Ayi’s criminal gang, which was active in Accra during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
While Ataa Ayi received a 160-year prison term for multiple counts of robbery, Agyekum maintained his innocence and eventually appealed his conviction.
The Court of Appeal, comprised of Justices Aboagye Tanoh, Stephen Oppong, and Janapare Bartels Kodwo, ruled in Agyekum’s favor, citing the prosecution’s failure to provide sufficient evidence to support the conviction.
The court also noted that Agyekum had no legal representation during his original trial, further undermining the fairness of the proceedings.
Speaking to the media following his release, Agyekum expressed deep gratitude to the court, his family, and the Ghanaian public for their prayers and support throughout his ordeal.
He shared his joy at reuniting with his loved ones and pledged to live an upright life, saying his time in prison has taught him valuable lessons.
Story By: Nana Antwi Boasiako
