A 25-year-old armed robber, Paul Avortide, also known as “Tinted,” has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for attacking a pregnant Nigerian woman during a violent robbery in Ho, Ghana.
The Volta Regional Police Command announced the conviction in a statement issued on July 5, 2025, by the Ghana Police Service. Avortide was sentenced on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, by His Honour Osman Abdul Hakeem at the Ho Circuit Court.
The robbery occurred at around 4:00 a.m. on May 21, 2025, at Tsikpota near New Housing, Ho. Armed with a machete, Avortide attacked the victim, Ogechi Chidiebere, as she was heading to the Ho Municipal Hospital for antenatal care. He threatened her and stole GHS 3,000 and a Tecno Spark 30c smartphone valued at GHS 2,500.
Investigations led to the arrest of 23-year-old Harmony Nbonu, alias “Arab Money,” on June 19, 2025, at the Ho main market. He was found in possession of the stolen phone and admitted during interrogation that Avortide had sold it to him for GHS 850.
Police then launched a coordinated operation and arrested Avortide in Matse, a suburb of Ho, where he was attempting to flee.
Avortide was charged with robbery under Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by Act 646. He pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea. The court sentenced him to 19 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Nbonu was charged with dishonestly receiving stolen property under Section 146 of the same Act but was acquitted and discharged.
Avortide has since been transferred to the Ho Regional Prison to begin serving his sentence.
In its statement, the Volta Regional Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to fighting crime and ensuring public safety, stating:
“The Command remains resolute in its efforts to track down and bring to justice all individuals who pose a threat to peace and security in the Region.”
