A circuit court in Atasemanso, Ashanti Region, has sentenced three Nigerian nationals to lengthy prison terms totaling 96 years for their roles in a series of car thefts within the Kumasi metropolis.
The convicts Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze were arrested on June 20, 2025, after police investigations linked them to the theft of parked vehicles across the city.
According to Ashanti Regional Police spokesperson Godwin Ahianyo, the trio first appeared in court on July 22. During the proceedings, Ekenze admitted guilt and was immediately sentenced to 10 years with hard labour. His accomplices pleaded not guilty at the time.
The following day, Friday and Agwazie were tried at Circuit Court 3, where both were convicted and each handed two separate eight-year sentences, to run concurrently.
Further hearings expanded the charges. On July 23, Circuit Court 1 imposed additional 20-year sentences on all three men, also on two counts and set to run concurrently. A day later, Circuit Court 2 added another 10-year concurrent term to Ekenze’s record.
All three are now serving their terms at Kumasi Central Prison.
Wider Concerns Over Nigerians in Ghana
The case comes against the backdrop of growing public unease in Ghana over crimes allegedly linked to some Nigerian nationals.
In May 2025, a Nigerian woman, Patience Gold, was sentenced in Tarkwa to 20 years’ imprisonment for trafficking four women one of them living with HIV for forced prostitution.
In July, Ghana Immigration Service arrested 50 Nigerians in Accra during a raid in McCarthy Hills, accusing them of involvement in cyber fraud and human trafficking.
Authorities say these convictions highlight Ghana’s increasing vigilance in tackling both local and foreign-linked crimes while reinforcing judicial collaboration to deter organized criminal activity.
