Kumasi court jails three Nigerians for vehicle theft

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has confirmed the conviction of three Nigerian nationals involved in a vehicle theft syndicate operating in the Kumasi Metropolis.

The convicts — Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze — were arrested on June 20, 2025, and prosecuted before various circuit courts in Kumasi.

Russell Ekenze pleaded guilty at the Atasemanso Circuit Court during his first appearance and was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie, who initially pleaded not guilty, were later convicted at Circuit Court 3. They each received 8 years’ imprisonment on two counts, to run concurrently.

In subsequent proceedings at Circuit Court 1, all three convicts were handed 20-year concurrent sentences on two additional counts.

Ekenze faced a further trial at Circuit Court 2, where he was again convicted and given an extra 10-year concurrent term.

The trio are currently serving their sentences at the Kumasi Central Prison.

The Police Command noted that the outcome demonstrates its determination to combat organised and transnational crime in the region.

Authorities also urged the public to play a role in crime prevention by reporting suspicious activities promptly to help protect communities from such syndicates.