A Kumasi High Court has sentenced a notorious armed robber, Dominic Afriyie, also known as GH, to life imprisonment for murder and an additional 120 years with hard labour on two counts of robbery.
The sentence follows his conviction for the armed attack and killing of a 43-year-old pharmacist and building contractor, Michael Dela Agbo Klu, at his residence in Atasemanso, Kumasi, in November 2021.
The court, presided over by His Honour Abdul Razak and a seven-member jury, found the 36-year-old Afriyie guilty after a full trial. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Brutal Robbery Turned Homicide
On 20th November, 2021, the convict broke into the home of Mr Klu and his family at gunpoint. He stole two mobile phones, an ASUS Zenbook laptop, and GH¢1,500 in cash before fatally shooting Mr Klu.
Following weeks of investigation, police received intelligence on 30th December 2021 about a planned robbery in the same Atasemanso area.
A surveillance operation was immediately launched, leading to the arrest of Afriyie and three others at about 2:20 a.m. on 31st December 2021. They were intercepted in a Toyota Corolla with registration number AS 5970-20.
A search of the vehicle revealed two pistols and two single-barrelled shotguns. However, further investigations confirmed that Dominic Afriyie acted alone in the robbery and murder of Mr Klu.
The sentencing brings closure to a case that shocked the Atasemanso community and sparked public outrage.