Justice Baffoe-Bonnie Justifies 70-Year Sentence for Infamous Robber Ataa Ayi

Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has shed light on his decision to hand down a 70-year prison term to Ghana’s most notorious armed robber, Ataa Ayi, explaining that the ruling was guided by the law and the need to ensure public safety.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie revisited the high-profile case that marked one of his most decisive moments on the bench.

“The judges and magistrates are trained and follow sentencing guidelines, but sometimes you have to go beyond them,” he said. “In my youthful days, I gave somebody 70 years, AtaaAyi.”

According to him, the lengthy sentence was not arbitrary but rather influenced by the gravity of the crimes and the risk the convict posed to society.

“I told myself that if Ataa Ayi were given 30 years and came back, my family would be the first he would attack. So by the time he returns after 70 years, I’ll be gone,” he joked, prompting laughter in the chamber.

Ataa Ayi’s Criminal Legacy
Once branded by police as Ghana’s most dangerous armed robber, Ataa Ayi, born Ayi Ayeetey, terrorised residents across Accra in the early 2000s. His criminal network was linked to a series of armed robberies and carjacking incidents that left several people injured.

His reign of fear ended when police tracked and arrested him at Teshie Tsui Bleo, a suburb of Accra, after months of intensive surveillance. His girlfriend, believed to have helped conceal his operations, was also apprehended.

In 2005, Ataa Ayi and his accomplices were convicted on multiple counts of armed robbery and handed long prison terms, effectively dismantling one of the most notorious crime syndicates in the country’s history.

Public Debate on Sentencing
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s recollection has sparked renewed debate about judicial discretion, rehabilitation versus deterrence, and sentencing reform in Ghana’s justice system.

While some legal commentators argue that harsh sentences can deter violent crime, others believe rehabilitation should take precedence once offenders are incarcerated.

The conversation now forms part of the broader national dialogue surrounding justice delivery and reform, as Justice Baffoe-Bonnie faces vetting for the highest judicial office in the land.