A 26-year-old cobbler, Thomas Opoku, popularly known as Akwasi Dekye, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Bekwai Circuit Court for robbing a nursing student at gunpoint in Kokofu Bedoma, located in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

The conviction was delivered on Thursday, August 6, 2026, after the court found Opoku guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime and robbery, offences under Sections 23(1) and 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred around 12:15 a.m. on June 12, 2026, when Opoku and an accomplice, identified as Agye Nyame, who remains at large, attacked Divine Adu Boaheng near the Kokofu Nursing Training School as he was returning from Bedomaise.

The court was told that Opoku, who was armed with a single-barrel shotgun, forcibly took the victim’s Infinix Smart 6 mobile phone, valued at GH¢1,400, along with GH¢400 in cash.

Investigators arrested Opoku on June 18, 2026, at the Kokofu Lorry Station after the complainant identified him. During investigations, police recovered the stolen mobile phone, and Opoku admitted to committing the offence in his caution statement.

Presiding Judge, His Honour Isaac Appiatu, sentenced Opoku to 15 years’ imprisonment following his conviction.

Meanwhile, police say they are continuing efforts to track down and arrest the second suspect, Agye Nyame, who is still on the run.