Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Chief Justice nominee, has revealed his reasoning behind sentencing notorious armed robber Atta Ayi to 70 years in prison.
According to Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the lengthy sentence for Atta Ayi was to protect his family.
He explained that if he had given Ataa Ayi 30 years, when he came back, his family would be the first the notorious armed robber would have attacked.
Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie explained, “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 would be the first he would attack. By the time he comes back after 70 years, I will be dead and gone,” he said.
It will be recalled, Atta Ayi was labelled as Ghana’s most notorious at the time with a bounty placed on him.
He masterminded numerous armed robberies, stealing money, cars, jewellery, and other valuables and also shot victims.
The Police, led by ACP Kofi Boakye, managed to arrest some members of his gang after fierce gun battles that left others dead.
Atta Ayi was later convicted on multiple counts and jailed in 2005.
According to reports, Atta Ayi has now been described as a changed man.
He has since been pleading with the government to grant him a pardon.
Meanwhile, some Ghanaians have reacted to the comments made by Baffoe-Bonnie, saying, “It’s a very disappointing mindset for any judge to have. Judges should just work according to what the law says and not sentence people on personal terms and fears. Guys like Ataa Ayi have people on the street, and if they want to harm, I am sure they would have done so a long time ago”.
One X user added, “This is a clear violation of due process and fairness. Judges are required by law and ethics to be impartial. Sentences must be based on the law and the facts of the case, not personal fears or emotions. His judgment on that case must be reviewed”.
“Meaning, the guy didn’t deserve 70 70-year sentence, but cox of his fears & insecurities, he gave him a life sentence(70)? He expects him to die there? Isn’t there presidential amnesty? W@ if he gets one? Or he’ll block it til he Baffoe dies or Ataa Ayi dies? Wei yedi y3 chief Justice?”, an X user added.
“I want to believe that what the chief justice nominee said and what he’s trying to communicate are different things, maybe he used his family as an example to say that Ataa Ayi would’ve continued to attack people in a general sense, or else we should be really worried”, one more Ghanaian noted.
Additionally, a netizen added, “So he dies and leaves no one behind? He can trace his family and harm them when he’s out. This way of thinking is very selfish. Also, I’m not saying the criminal doesn’t deserve a 70yt. Even if he does deserve more terms, his final judgement must be very objective…. This is very wrong in my opinion. There was no justice here”.
Watch the video below:
“I gave Ataa Ayi 70 years in prison because if I had given him 30 years, my family and I would be the first person he’d attack when he gets out”
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) November 10, 2025
— Chief Justice nominee Baffoe-Boni defends the length of prison sentences handed down by magistrates to offenders. pic.twitter.com/hXfG3mf673