Robbery tops police prosecutions in Upper West Region  

Prosecution of armed robbery cases have topped the criminal cases in the Upper West Region prosecuted by the Regional Police Command from 2023 to July 2025, comprising ten cases and ten convicts.   

Prosecution of defilement cases followed with seven cases successfully prosecuted involving 18 survivors, aged five years to 15 years, and seven convicts while one accomplice was on the run.  

Each convict in the robbery and defilement cases received a jail term from six years to 28 years in hard labour.  

DCOP Mr Darko Offei Lomotey, the Upper West Regional Police Commander, revealed this in Wa at the weekend during the Command’s engagement with the media on its operations in the region from 2023 to July 2025.  

The engagement was part of measures by the Command to promote transparency and accountability in its operations, outline its challenges, and solicit the media support to enhance its operations.  

The presentation focused on cases of armed robbery, defilement, stealing, narcotics, cattle stealing and rustling, illegal mining, and land and chieftaincy disputes.  

Mr Lomotey reported that five people had been sentenced for illegal mining at the Maase community in Wa West District with each of them serving 20 years imprisonment in hard labour.  

Seven suspects were also under investigation for illegal mining at the Kyeatanga community also in the Wa West District.   

Motorbike theft had, over the years, posed a persistent security challenge to people within the Wa Municipality and the Upper West Region as a whole.   

“However, the Regional Police Command intensified its efforts during the period under review to address the menace.   

Through targeted operations, increased surveillance, and intelligence-led investigations, several motorbike theft syndicates were identified and dismantled”, Mr Lomotey explained.  

Those efforts had led to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of six culprits to prison terms ranging from two years to ten years, as well as the recovery of stolen items, including motorbikes.   

Mr Lomotey explained that the proactive approach of the regional Police Command, coupled with the community cooperation, had significantly reduced motorbike-related thefts in the region and restored public confidence in local policing.  

The Command also reported the recovery of 1,350 stolen cattle within the period under review with one Halitu Shaibu convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.  

Additionally, a 19-year-old Mabruk Salue was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for unlawful entry and possession of narcotic substance.  

Mr Lomotey recounted that one Alhaji Inusah had been sentenced to 23 years imprisonment in hard labour for manslaughter and use of offensive weapon.   

The Command also reported “high profile” murder cases before the Wa High Court including the murder of Eric Johnson of Jirapa “Dubai” in which 32-year-old Elisha Mahama, 25-year-old Belinda Miller, and 56-year-old Kweku Kankumbata were standing trial.  

Also, Alhaji Halim Yahaya and Isaac Anaatakang alias Dapilah were standing trial before the Wa High Court for the murder of Jontong Naa Mutala Tendana.  

Additionally, Mr Lomotey said the Police Command had been collaborating with the Regional Peace Council, engaging traditional and opinion leaders, and the Regional, District and Municipal Security Councils to address land and chieftaincy disputes in the region.   

The Regional Police Commander gave assurance of the Command’s continuous commitment to ensuring the safety, peace, and security of communities within its jurisdiction.   

Source: GNA  

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