A 22-year-old Bolt driver, Emmanuel Kofi Mensah, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison with hard labour for attacking a female passenger, inflicting multiple machete wounds on her and stealing her belongings. The incident occurred on September 23, 2026, when the victim booked a ride to Adenta New Site at about 10pm. Mensah allegedly deviated from the agreed route, heading towards Mantey Farms, where he attacked the passenger.
During the attack, the victim was subjected to multiple machete wounds before Mensah allegedly robbed her of two iPhones valued at GH¢18,000, GH¢3,500 in cash, and other personal belongings. The case took an unexpected turn the following day when Mensah attempted to sell one of the stolen phones at an Apple store. He sent an iPhone 17 Pro Max and an iPhone 12 to the store for sale, but the shop owner became suspicious after noticing the complainant's image displayed on the homescreen of one of the devices.
The shop owner's suspicions led to Mensah's arrest, and subsequent investigations into the attack and recovery of the stolen items. Mensah was prosecuted and found guilty of the offence. The court sentenced him to 25 years' imprisonment with hard labour for the attack and robbery. This sentence sends a strong message to potential offenders, highlighting the severity of such crimes.
The incident has also highlighted the risks passengers can face when using commercial ride-hailing services, particularly when drivers deviate from agreed routes or take passengers to isolated locations. Passengers are advised to be cautious and take necessary precautions when using such services. The case has sparked concerns about the safety of passengers and the need for ride-hailing companies to ensure the vetting of their drivers.
According to reports, the victim had booked a ride to Adenta New Site, but Mensah diverted to Mantey Farms, where the attack occurred. The victim's belongings, including two iPhones, were stolen during the attack. The iPhones were valued at GH¢18,000, and the victim also lost GH¢3,500 in cash and other personal belongings.
The court heard that Mensah attempted to sell the stolen phones at an Apple store, but his plan was foiled when the shop owner noticed the complainant's image on one of the devices. The shop owner reported Mensah to the authorities, leading to his arrest and subsequent prosecution. The swift action of the shop owner and the authorities led to Mensah's arrest and eventual sentencing.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance and caution when using ride-hailing services. Passengers must be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The incident serves as a reminder to ride-hailing companies to prioritize passenger safety and take steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Key points
- Emmanuel Kofi Mensah, a 22-year-old Bolt driver, was sentenced to 25 years in prison with hard labour for attacking a passenger and stealing iPhones valued at GH¢18,000.
- The incident occurred on September 23, 2026, when Mensah deviated from the agreed route and attacked the passenger at Mantey Farms.
- The case highlights the risks passengers face when using commercial ride-hailing services and the need for ride-hailing companies to ensure driver vetting and passenger safety.
