The Assin Nsuaem-Kyekyewere Circuit Court in the Assin South District of the Central Region has sentenced a 26-year-old farmer, Frank Owusu, to 30 years in prison for robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Owusu, popularly known as “Lifer,” pleaded guilty to both charges. He received 30 years for robbery and two months for possessing a firearm without authority.

The sentences will run concurrently.

Delivering judgment, His Lordship Emmanuel Amoh-Yartey said the punishment should serve as a deterrent, given the increasing spate of armed robberies in rural communities.

Prosecutor ASP Nana George Akomeah told the court that the incident occurred at about 11 p.m. on March 28, 2025, at Assin Praso.

The complainant, a baker named Lucy Bremah, was asleep with her two children when Owusu broke into her room armed with a locally manufactured pistol.

He stole two mobile phones worth GH₵250 and a pair of reading glasses valued at GH₵200. Pointing the pistol at Ms Bremah, Owusu threatened to kill her unless she handed over her money.

Fearing for her life, she gave him GH₵3,000, which he took before fleeing.

Tenants later confronted him at the Assin Adansi school park, where they managed to seize the pistol and recover the stolen phones after a struggle. Owusu, however, escaped with the cash.

The case was reported the next day, and he was arrested on September 27, 2025. During interrogation, he admitted to the robbery and to possessing the firearm.