An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a refuse collector, Joshua Aminu, to 10 years imprisonment for attempting to rob a United States Embassy diplomat using a toy gun.
According to a GNA report, Aminu, who pleaded guilty to two counts of attempt to commit robbery, was convicted on his own plea by the court presided over by Mr Jojo Hagan.
The sentences on both counts will run concurrently.
The incident occurred on September 26, between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., when the complainant, Mr John Kiona, a scientist and diplomat residing at Cantonments, was taking a walk around the American Embassy enclave.
Prosecution told the court that Aminu confronted Mr Kiona and demanded he surrender his valuables, including an iPhone 16 Pro Max valued at GH¢18,500 and an iPhone 8 valued at GH¢16,500.
During the confrontation, Mr Kiona grabbed Aminu’s hand holding the gun and struggled with him until the weapon broke, revealing it was a toy. Aminu fled the scene but was later arrested after the complainant alerted security personnel.
A search of Aminu’s brown backpack revealed two kitchen knives. He was handed over to the police along with the broken toy gun and the knives.
Although Aminu pleaded for leniency, the court emphasized the need for a deterrent sentence given the prevalence of robbery in the country.