CJ Nominee Explains Why He Gave Ataa Ayi 70 Years in Prison
Baffoe-Bonnie recounts his decision to jail Ataa Ayi for 70 years, saying the sentence balanced justice with protection of society.
- Justice Baffoe-Bonnie explains rationale behind Ataa Ayi’s 70-year sentence
- Says decision balanced justice, deterrence, and public protection
- Ayi’s 2005 conviction ended one of Ghana’s most notorious criminal reigns
Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has justified the 70-year prison sentence he imposed on Ghana’s notorious armed robber, Ayi Ayeetey—popularly known as Ataa Ayi—describing it as a tough but essential decision to protect society and uphold justice.
Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie reflected on the case from his “youthful days” on the bench. He explained that while sentencing guidelines exist, judges are sometimes compelled to go beyond them when the gravity of a crime poses a serious threat to public safety.
“The judges and magistrates have sentencing guidelines,” he noted. “But sometimes you have to go beyond them. In my youthful days, I gave someone 70 years — Ataa Ayi,” he recalled.
He said his decision was guided by both justice and prudence, joking that he wanted to ensure the criminal would not return to endanger others.
“I told myself that if Ataa Ayi got 30 years and came back, my family might be among his first targets. So by the time he returns after 70 years, I’ll be long gone,” he said humorously.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie emphasized that sentencing is not just about punishment but also deterrence and the protection of society, requiring judges to sometimes make difficult choices within the bounds of the law.
Background:
Ataa Ayi, once Ghana’s most feared armed robber, led a violent gang that terrorized Accra and nearby areas in the late 1990s and early 2000s, targeting motorists and residents at gunpoint.
His criminal reign led to one of Ghana’s biggest police manhunts, with his image displayed on billboards across several regions. After months of pursuit, he was arrested in Teshie Tsui Bleo with his girlfriend, who was suspected of aiding his crimes.
Convicted in 2005 on multiple counts of armed robbery, Ataa Ayi was sentenced to 70 years in prison — a verdict that marked a major milestone in Ghana’s battle against violent crime.
