The Kwadaso Circuit Court in Kumasi has sentenced a 26-year-old unemployed man to one month in prison after he admitted to attempting to steal a police armoured vehicle at Nkawie in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The convict, Ebenezer Frimpong, who hails from Antwi Agyeikrom in the Atwima Mponua District, was arrested on April 15, 2026, after allegedly driving away with the police vehicle.

Frimpong initially denied the charge when he first appeared before the court. However, during proceedings on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, he changed his plea to guilty after doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital declared him mentally fit to stand trial following a psychiatric assessment.

The psychiatric report, which had delayed the case for several months, was presented before the court. Presiding judge His Honour Jephthah Appau subsequently convicted and sentenced him based on his guilty plea.

How the incident happened

According to the prosecution, General Lance Corporal Joshua Denkyi was on April 14, 2026, driving an armoured police vehicle with registration number GP 1131 to a workshop for routine maintenance.

While travelling through Nkawie, the officer reportedly developed a stomach problem and parked the vehicle near the town’s market to buy medication from a nearby pharmacy.

During his brief absence, Frimpong allegedly entered the vehicle and drove off towards the Nkawie-Abuakwa-Kumasi road.

The officer immediately raised an alarm, prompting officers from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) to pursue the vehicle. Frimpong was eventually arrested at Mim, near Abuakwa.

Court proceedings

Frimpong had earlier pleaded not guilty when he first appeared before the Kwadaso Circuit Court on May 5, 2026. However, after the prosecution presented the facts of the case, he informed the court that he wished to change his plea to guilty.

The presiding judge questioned him to ensure he understood the implications of his decision, and Frimpong confirmed that he did.

Justice Jephthah Appau explained that the one-month custodial sentence took into account the convict’s youthful age and the fact that he accepted responsibility by changing his plea, thereby saving the court’s time.

Police prosecutor ASP Albert Asagre had asked the court to impose an appropriate sentence in accordance with the law after the accused admitted the offence.