A 25-year-old man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison with hard labour after admitting to robbing a pregnant woman in Ho. The convict, Paul Avortide, popularly known as “Tinted,” pleaded guilty and was sentenced by the Ho Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Osman Abdul Hakeem.
The robbery took place around 4:00 a.m. on May 21, 2025, in the Tsikpota area near New Housing, Ho. Armed with a machete, Avortide confronted his victim, Madam Ogechi Chidiebere — a Nigerian woman who was on her way to the Ho Municipal Hospital for antenatal care. He threatened her with the weapon and forcibly took her GH¢3,000 and a Tecno Spark 30c smartphone worth GH¢2,500.
Investigations into the robbery took a turn when, nearly a month later on June 19, 2025, police apprehended 23-year-old Harmony Nbonu, also known as “Arab Money,” at the Ho main market. He was found in possession of the victim’s stolen phone. During questioning, he told investigators that he had bought the device for GH¢850 from Avortide.
Following this lead, police coordinated with Nbonu to locate and arrest Avortide in Matse, a suburb of Ho. After further investigations, charges were filed against both men. Avortide was charged with robbery under Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as modified by Act 646 of 2003. Nbonu, meanwhile, faced a charge of dishonestly receiving, under Section 146 of the same Act.
Though both men stood trial, only Avortide was found guilty. Nbonu was acquitted and discharged, having been cleared of any wrongdoing. Avortide has since been transferred to the Ho Regional Prison to begin serving his 19-year term.
