Ghana Court Sentences Nigerians to Combined 96 Years Over Car Theft

Three Nigerian nationals have been handed a cumulative prison term of 96 years for their roles in vehicle theft operations across the Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana.

According to a statement from the Ashanti Regional Police Command’s Public Affairs Unit, issued by spokesperson Godwin Ahianyo on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the convicts — Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze — were arrested on June 20, 2025, and arraigned before multiple circuit courts in Kumasi.

Ekenze admitted guilt at his first hearing before the Atasemanso Circuit Court and received a 10-year sentence with hard labour. Friday and Agwazie, who initially denied the charges, were later convicted at Circuit Court 3 and sentenced to eight years each on two counts, to run concurrently.

Subsequent rulings at Circuit Court 1 imposed an additional 20-year concurrent sentence on all three men, while Ekenze faced another conviction at Circuit Court 2, earning him a further 10-year concurrent term.

They are currently serving their sentences at Kumasi Central Prison. Police authorities said the case underscores their determination to curb organised and cross-border crimes and urged citizens to report suspicious activities to help strengthen crime prevention.