Ashaiman Court Jails Man 10 Years for Snatching Australian National’s iPhone

An Ashaiman Circuit Court has sentenced a 30-year-old unemployed man to 10 years’ imprisonment for forcibly snatching an iPhone 14 valued at GH¢5,000 from an Australian national in Tsinagbe, a suburb of Ashaiman.

The convict, Christopher Kwetey, was arrested on November 3, 2026, following an intelligence-led operation by the Ashaiman District Police Command under District Police Commander DSP Orlando Joseph Adzokpa. The stolen device was recovered during the operation .

Presiding Judge Her Ladyship Priscilla Sophia Yeboah convicted Kwetey after he pleaded guilty to the charge. Chief Inspector Oscar Norgbedzi prosecuted the case .

How the Incident Unfolded

The prosecution told the court that the complainant, 47-year-old Edmond Yammine, an Australian national residing at Community 24, had travelled to Ashaiman early that morning to purchase Nescafé before heading to an MTN office to avoid the usual long queues .

While walking toward Tsinagbe, Yammine began recording a video for his YouTube channel using his iPhone 14 when Kwetey allegedly approached him from behind and forcibly snatched the device. The complainant attempted to retrieve his phone, but a crowd gathered around him, giving the accused an opportunity to escape with the device .

Swift Arrest and Recovery

Acting on police intelligence, officers arrested Kwetey at approximately 1:00 p.m. the same day at Tsinagbe, where the stolen iPhone was recovered from him. During interrogation, the prosecution said Kwetey admitted to the offence, acknowledging that he had forcibly taken the phone from the complainant .

He was subsequently charged and arraigned before the Ashaiman Circuit Court.

Significance of the Sentence

The 10-year sentence reflects the courts’ stance on violent property crimes, particularly those targeting foreign nationals. Under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, stealing—including snatching—carries a maximum sentence of 10 years for a first offence, placing Kwetey’s punishment at the upper limit of the statutory range.

The case also highlights the role of police intelligence in swift apprehensions. The Ashaiman District Police Command’s rapid response—arresting the suspect within hours of the offence and recovering the stolen property—was central to the prosecution’s case, which proceeded on a guilty plea rather than a full trial.

Kwetey is expected to serve his sentence at a Ghana Prisons Service facility. The recovered iPhone 14 has been retained as an exhibit pending any appeal or further court orders.