Attempted murder: Contact legal Aid to assign lawyer to escapee security guard

The High Court in Accra has ordered the Registrar of the Court (Criminal Division) to write to the Legal Aid Commission to assign Pius Ayoma, a private security guard facing charges including attempted murder, a counsel.

Ayoma, who evaded lawful custody at midnight on March 2 after appearing before the High Court on March 1, is also charged with robbery.

After his re-arrest in May of last year, he was remanded to Nsawam Prison Custody and is currently facing two separate charges in the Circuit Court and High Court.

Ayoma was absent on June 8, 2023, when he was scheduled to appear in front of the High Court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo.

Consequently, the court ordered the authorities of Nsawam Medium Security Prison to produce the defendant today.

Monday, June 19th, the defendant was present in court and informed the court that he does not have an attorney, contrary to what he told the court during his initial appearance before escaping lawful custody.

The Prosecution, headed by Principal State Attorney Mrs. Sefakor Batse, described to the court how the defendant evaded capture.

"He evaded lawful custody for more than a month, but thanks to the efforts of police and other institutions, he was apprehended and has been brought before you (Court)," the Chief State's Attorney told the court.

She subsequently informed the court that the prosecution had filed all required documents, including disclosures and witnesses, and was prepared to begin the trial.

By Statute

The Criminal Division of the Accra Court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, issued some orders after hearing the prosecution and the defendant.

The court stated that the defendant is charged with attempted homicide and robbery.

"Because the nature of these offenses necessitates a jury trial, it is customary for the accused to be represented by counsel," the Court stated.

Justice Marfo stated, "Therefore, the Registrar of this court (Criminal Division) is ordered to write to the Legal Aid (Commission) in Accra to assign an attorney for the defendant by the next adjourned date."

Justice Marfo subsequently ordered that "The Registrar should attach a copy of this court note and the orders through dispatch and follow up with the Legal Aid Office to ensure that the defendant is assigned an attorney prior to the next court date."

Justice Marfo stated, "It should also be noted that counsel for the Republic has made full disclosures, and for all intents and purposes, this court can impanel a jury to begin the trial as soon as possible."

The court also stated that a copy of the defendant's disclosures had been filed at the court registry and that the defendant could pick up a copy himself or have his attorneys do so.

According to EIB Network's Legal Affairs Correspondent Murtala Inusah, who was present in court, the court has issued a summons for jury selection.

The case has been rescheduled for further orders on July 3, 2023.

Brief details

According to the case's concise facts, the complainants are a married couple who reside off of Spintex Road.

The accused, Pius Anundoabil Ayoma, also resided off Spintex Road in Accra and worked for a private security firm.

The facts indicate that he was allocated by the private security firm to work as a security guard at the couple's residence until he was fired after the couple filed a complaint against him with his supervisor for petty theft at their home.

It states that on January 21, 2020 at approximately 7:30 p.m., the accused, who no longer worked at the couple's residence, armed with a pistol and a knife and wearing a mask, appeared on the complainants' property and attacked the security guard on duty.

According to the evidence, the defendant bound his legs and limbs with a necktie and a rope before striking him multiple times with the muzzle of a gun.

Access to the home

According to the facts, he then gained access to the main house with a duplicate key he already possessed, and he entered the couple's bedroom, now unmasked, where he encountered the wife, who was home alone.

"He injured himself while breaking into their bathroom, where she was getting ready to go to church, leaving blood traces on the bathroom floor.

The brief facts state, "He ordered her to transfer funds from her phone to a mobile number that investigations later revealed was registered in his name."

"He then took her to the room where he had tied their security guard and threatened to hit her with the gun just as he was hitting the guard if she did not give him more money."

Momo relocation

According to the evidence, she begged him not to strike her because she was pregnant and did not want to miscarry.

"He forced her to transfer approximately 2,000 Ghana Cedis to the aforementioned phone number and even assaulted her."

"He asked her for more money, but she told him she did not have any, so he told her he would wait for her husband to return, knowing they were wealthy."

"He then bound her in the bathroom, ransacked the rooms, and stole a number of the couple's belongings.

"He stole two iPhones, a Dell laptop, a DSTV decoder, a subwoofer, a 32-inch Samsung flat-screen television, a 55-inch Philip flat-screen television, two travel bags, and various articles of clothing."

Uber request

According to the facts, he then instructed her to use her phone to call an Uber to the residence.

Upon the arrival of the Uber driver, the accused loaded all the items into the vehicle with his assistance.

"The defendant did not depart, but instead waited for the other complainant (the wife's husband) to return from work. Approximately 10:30 p.m., he returned home and entered the residence.

"It wasn't until he entered his home that he realized it was under siege. "As he attempted to free his wife, who was tied to the toilet seat, he was attacked by the suspect, who was hiding behind the bathroom door," the facts state.

Gunshot

The facts indicate that he (the accused) attempted to strike the victim with his gun, but the victim retaliated by striking the weapon with his hand and fleeing outside while yelling for assistance.

"The accused pursued the complainant outside and fired the gun at him, but missed and he escaped unharmed."

"The accused, who had earlier come out unmasked to load the stolen items into the Uber vehicle, jumped into the Uber vehicle while wearing a mask and ordered the driver to drive out of the house in the direction of Spintex road under threat of a gun," the document states.

On the way, the accused allegedly removed the disguise and instructed the Uber driver to call him a taxi.

"The driver complied and stopped the taxi. He then transferred the loot into the taxi and instructed the driver to drive in the direction of Kasapreko."

Police station

It states that the police were notified, and the suspect was located in a taxi at Kasapreko junction with the stolen items.

The police signaled the driver to halt, and when he did, the suspect emerged from the vehicle and pointed a gun at the officers.

"The police also aimed a gun at him, but upon realizing that the gun was inoperable, he (the accused) was able to flee the vehicle, leaving behind the taxi and the stolen goods.

"The taxi was delivered to the Manet Police Station, where a report was filed.

"The complainants identified him as the thief who plundered them to the police. Additionally, they confirmed that the stolen items in the taxi were theirs.

Investigations subsequently revealed that the accused was concealing in Fumbisi, Upper East Region, where he was apprehended.

In the course of his apprehension, the suspect, with the assistance of his mother and other family members, fired at one of the arresting officers, injuring him in the process.

According to reports, the accused was re-arrested due to the efforts of the complainants, the investigator, and the police.