The fight against organized vehicle theft in Kumasi has recorded a major breakthrough after three Nigerians were handed hefty prison terms totaling 10
The fight against organized vehicle theft in Kumasi has recorded a major breakthrough after three Nigerians were handed hefty prison terms totaling 100 years for their role in a sophisticated car theft syndicate.
The convicts — Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze — were arrested in June 2025 and prosecuted in a series of separate trials across three circuit courts in Kumasi.
Their convictions, according to the Ashanti Regional Police Command, mark a decisive blow to cross-border criminal gangs operating within the Ashanti regional capital.
The Arrest and Charges
On June 20, 2025, police intelligence led to the arrest of the three suspects, who had been linked to the theft of parked vehicles in Kumasi neighborhoods such as Bantama, Asokwa, and Atasemanso.
The syndicate was reported to have deployed advanced techniques to break into immobilized cars, sparking public fear as complaints piled up from both private and commercial vehicle owners.
Following their arrest, the suspects were arraigned before the Atasemanso Circuit Court on July 22, 2025, where the first dramatic turn in the trial occurred.
Russell Ekenze pleaded guilty to multiple charges and was immediately convicted, receiving a 10-year sentence with hard labour.
His accomplices, Friday and Agwazie, however, denied the allegations, setting the stage for further trials.
Court Trials and Sentences
The following days saw swift but coordinated judicial processes across multiple courts:
On July 23, 2025, Circuit Court 3 found Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie guilty on two counts of vehicle theft each. They were sentenced to 8 years in hard labour, with sentences to run concurrently.
That same day, Circuit Court 1 slapped all three accused persons with an additional 20-year concurrent sentence each, following further evidence of organized theft.
On July 24, 2025, Circuit Court 2 revisited Ekenze’s case and imposed another 10-year term, though it was ordered to run concurrently with his earlier sentence.
In total, the three men received sentences amounting to 100 years, though due to concurrency rules, the actual prison time each will serve is capped by the longest individual sentence.
Police Statement
In a statement issued by DSP Godwin Ahianyo, Head of Public Affairs at the Ashanti Regional Police Command, the convictions were described as a victory in the ongoing battle against organized crime.
“This successful prosecution underscores our commitment to protecting life and property. It demonstrates the value of police-public cooperation and the determination of the judiciary to ensure criminals face the full rigours of the law,” the statement read.
Police further urged residents of Kumasi to remain vigilant, stressing that public tips were instrumental in apprehending the suspects.
Background
Vehicle theft has been a rising challenge in Kumasi over the past five years, with syndicates targeting both commercial vehicles and high-value private cars.
Investigations have long suggested that some of these crimes were orchestrated by cross-border networks, often involving foreign nationals who use Kumasi as a hub for stolen vehicles.
The conviction of the three Nigerians is therefore being seen as not only a judicial success but also a deterrent to other syndicates attempting to infiltrate the city’s transport economy.
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