CJ nominee explains why he sentenced notorious armed robber Atta Ayi to 70 years in prison

Chief Justice nominee Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has defended the lengthy 70-year prison sentence he handed down to notorious criminal, Ayi Ayeetey (alias Atta Ayi).

Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie recalled a case from his “youthful days” in which he sentenced the notorious armed robber to 70 years in prison.

“The judges and magistrates, they are trained, they have sentencing guidelines,” he said. “But sometimes they have to go beyond it. In my youthful days, I gave somebody 70 years, Atta Ayi.”

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie emphasised that while sentencing guidelines provide a framework, judges must sometimes exercise discretion to address the broader context of a case, including public safety and the protection of vulnerable parties.

“I gave him 70 years. And what I told myself was that if Atta Ayi was given 30 years and he comes back, my family will be the first he will attack. So by the time he comes back after 70 years, I will be dead and gone,” he said lightheartedly to laughter in the audience.

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