The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced the conviction of three Nigerian nationals arrested in June for theft activities targeting parked vehicles within the Kumasi Metropolis.

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

On July 22, 2025, at the Atasemanso Circuit Court, Russell Ekenze pleaded guilty and was immediately sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL).

His accomplices, Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie, pleaded not guilty.

The following day, July 23, 2025, Circuit Court 3 found Friday and Agwazie guilty on two counts each, sentencing them to 8 years In Hard Labour(IHL), with the sentences to run concurrently.

On the same day, Circuit Court 1 handed all three convicts an additional 20-year IHL sentence on two counts, also to run concurrently.

On July 24, 2025, Ekenze faced further charges at Circuit Court 2, where he received an additional 10-year IHL sentence, to run concurrently with his existing term.

All three men are currently serving their sentences at the Kumasi Central Prison.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command described the convictions as a demonstration of its commitment to combating organised and transnational crime.

Police further encouraged the public to support law enforcement efforts by reporting suspicious activities promptly to help safeguard lives and property.