Court jails refuse collector 10 years for attempting to rob US diplomat's iphones
By DL News
Published
1 min read
Aminu, who used a toy gun during the attempted robbery, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted robbery and was convicted on his own plea by Mr. Jojo Hagan, the presiding judge.
An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a refuse collector, Joshua Aminu, to 10 years in prison for attempting to rob a United States diplomat of two iPhones at Cantonments in Accra.
Aminu, who used a toy gun during the attempted robbery, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted robbery and was convicted on his own plea by Mr. Jojo Hagan, the presiding judge. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve 10 years in total.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Mr. John Kiona, a scientist and diplomat with the US Embassy, was taking an evening walk between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on September 26, 2025, when Aminu confronted him near the American Embassy enclave.
The convict allegedly demanded that the diplomat hand over his iPhone 16 Pro Max, valued at GH¢18,500, and an iPhone 8, worth GH¢16,500.
During the confrontation, the diplomat grabbed Aminu’s hand and wrestled with him until the gun snapped, revealing it was a toy weapon. Aminu fled but was later captured by security officers who responded to the alert.
A subsequent search of his brown backpack uncovered two kitchen knives, the broken toy gun, and other personal items.
In sentencing Aminu, the court acknowledged his guilty plea and appeal for leniency but said the punishment was necessary to deter similar crimes, noting the increasing prevalence of robbery in the country.
Aminu, who resides near the Konkomba Market, has 30 days to appeal the sentence.
