Wrongful Conviction: Ataa Ayi’s Mechanic Freed After 23 Years in Prison
Yaw Asante Agyekum a mechanic who spent 23 years behind bars for a crime he did not commit has finally been freed. On Wednesday, June 5, 2025, the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction bringing justice to a man who was wrongly jailed in connection with the criminal activities of notorious armed robber, Ataa Ayi.
In 2002, Agyekum was convicted alongside Ataa Ayi and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Ataa Ayi on the other hand received 70 years in one case and an additional 20 years in another bringing his total sentence to 90 years. However it has now been confirmed by the Court of Appeal that Agyekum should never have been convicted in the first place.
The ruling was delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Janapare A. Bartels-Kodwo, with Justices Aboagye Tandoh and Stephen Oppong as members. The panel concluded that there was no evidence directly linking Agyekum to the series of armed robberies committed by Ataa Ayi.
The court also stated that the prosecution had failed to provide enough credible evidence to justify his conviction and sentencing. After an eight-year legal struggle led by his lawyer George Bernard Shaw Agyekum was finally acquitted and discharged.
Agyekum, now visibly emotional and relieved, walked out of the courtroom a free man. Having served 23 years of his 35-year sentence his release has sparked widespread debate about wrongful convictions and the need for judicial reforms.
The ruling has highlighted the importance of strong legal defence and the role of the appeal process in correcting errors in the justice system. Agyekum’s release has been welcomed by many Ghanaians, who view it as a long-overdue correction of a miscarriage of justice.
His case serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of wrongful convictions. The emotional and psychological toll, coupled with the loss of productive years, cannot be understated.
As he begins a new chapter of his life, Yaw Asante Agyekum is expected to receive support from human rights groups, legal advocates and members of the public who followed his case. His story is now seen as a symbol of hope for others who may be victims of similar injustices.
This historic judgment by the Court of Appeal is a major step toward strengthening public confidence in the justice system and ensuring that no innocent person remains in prison due to a flawed investigation or prosecution.