Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has defended the 70-year prison sentence he handed down to one of Ghana’s most infamous criminals, Ayi Ayeetey, popularly known as Ataa Ayi, describing it as a necessary decision to protect the public and uphold justice.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie revisited the case from what he described as his “youthful days on the bench,” explaining that while judges follow sentencing guidelines, there are instances where the gravity of a crime demands a tougher approach.
“The judges and magistrates are trained, and they have sentencing guidelines,” he said. “But sometimes they have to go beyond it. In my youthful days, I gave somebody 70 years — Atta Ayi.”
He noted that the sentence reflected not only the severity of the crimes but also the need to safeguard the public from a habitual offender.
“I gave him 70 years. And what I told myself was that if Atta Ayi was given 30 years and he comes back, my family will be the first he will attack. So by the time he comes back after 70 years, I will be dead and gone,” he added humorously, drawing laughter from the audience.
Background: Ghana’s Most Notorious Armed Robber
Ataa Ayi gained nationwide notoriety in the early 2000s as one of Ghana’s most feared armed robbers. Described by police as the country’s most dangerous bandit at the time, he was the subject of an extensive manhunt, with his portrait displayed on billboards across five regions.
He was eventually arrested in Teshie Tsui Bleo, a suburb of Accra, after months of pursuit. His girlfriend, suspected to be an accomplice, was also arrested during the operation. His deputy, Emmanuel Tetteh, alias Mpata, was captured earlier, and information from him reportedly led to Ataa Ayi’s arrest.
Police investigations revealed that Ataa Ayi masterminded numerous violent robberies in Accra, targeting individuals at gunpoint and stealing cars, money, jewellery, and other valuables. Several victims were shot during his attacks.
In 2005, he was convicted on multiple counts of armed robbery and sentenced to 70 years in prison, a decision that has since remained one of Ghana’s most talked-about criminal sentences.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s remarks during the vetting provided rare judicial insight into one of the country’s most notorious criminal cases — and reaffirmed his belief in the balance between judicial discretion and public safety.
