In a disturbing case that has sparked outrage within the Abuakwa community, a 25-year-old student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for violently robbing a hairdresser at knifepoint.
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The convicted student, Fatawu Amponsah, a Level 200 undergraduate and also known in the area as a driver’s mate, admitted to the crime and was convicted on his own guilty plea by the Akropong Circuit Court. The court was presided over by Her Honour Gloria Mensah Bonsu.
The Night of the Attack
According to Police Detective Inspector Alexander Agbekpornu, who led the prosecution, the incident occurred around 2:30 am on June 16, 2025. The victim, Juliet Nyarko, a young hairdresser apprentice at Abuakwa-Asenemaso, was heading home after a late return from the Abuakwa township. Unbeknownst to her, she was being followed.
Fatawu, who lived nearby at SDA Junction, trailed Juliet along a quiet stretch of road before confronting her. He demanded her iPhone 11, worth GHS 3,000, but she resisted. That’s when the situation turned violent.
Fatawu pulled out a kitchen knife and brutally assaulted her. He beat her until she grew weak, pushed her to the ground, and forcefully grabbed the phone before fleeing the scene—leaving Juliet injured and screaming for help.
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Justice from the Community
Luckily, residents in the area heard her cries and quickly rushed to the scene. Their quick response led to a chase, and within moments, they apprehended Fatawu and handed him over to the Abuakwa Police.
During interrogation, Fatawu confessed to the crime in his caution statement. After completing their investigation, the police charged him with robbery and brought him before the court, where he received a decade-long sentence with no chance of leniency due to the gravity of his actions.
A Wake-Up Call for Youth and Institutions
This case has shaken the Abuakwa and KNUST communities alike, raising fresh concerns about rising youth involvement in crime. A university student turning to violence and armed robbery is not just tragic—it’s alarming.
Educational institutions, parents, and youth leaders must work together to prevent such tragedies. Students must understand that no amount of desperation justifies such cruelty and lawlessness.
Fatawu Amponsah’s 10-year jail sentence stands as a warning and a lesson. As Ghanaians, let’s hope this incident encourages more vigilance, community support, and proactive youth mentorship so no more futures are lost to crime.
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