Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has commented on why he handed notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi a 70-year jail sentence instead of 30 years.
Speaking during his vetting on Monday November 10, he explained that his decision was influenced by the real impact of crime on victims and the need to ensure safety.
According to him, people often downplay crimes such as stealing farm produce because they do not understand what it means to those affected.
He shared a story about his mother, a Catholic woman who tended a plantain farm all year just to present a bunch to her parish priest at harvest time.
He said a young man in their community cut the plantain ahead of harvest, something which may sound minor to others, but was like “stealing a car” to his mother because of the effort she had invested.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie argued that when sentencing, judges consider more than just guidelines; they also weigh the emotional, social, and economic harm suffered by victims.
He added that his decision to give Ataa Ayi 70 years was also influenced by personal and public safety concerns.
“If Ataa 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.
He stressed that sometimes judges must go beyond standard sentencing to protect victims and reinforce the seriousness of certain crimes.
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