Francis Xavier-Sosu, Member of Parliament for Madina, has expressed support for the 70-year prison sentence handed to notorious armed robber Raymond Ayee Ayeetey, popularly known as Ataa Ayi, describing it as a just verdict that resonated with Ghanaians.

Speaking on JoyPrime’s Prime Morning Show, Mr Xavier-Sosu said the public was upset with Ataa Ayi’s criminal activities, which had a widespread impact across the country.

"In the case of Ataa Ayi, there had been a series of robberies at the time, and Ghanaians were upset with the operations of Ataa Ayi... and everybody was happy about the 70 at the time, that oh finally, the man is gone," he said.

Mr Xavier-Sosu explained that "There are sentiments and societal agitations that can influence how a judge gives a verdict."

His remarks follow recent comments by Chief Justice nominee, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who explained that the lengthy sentence not only reflected the seriousness of Ataa Ayi’s crimes but also aimed to safeguard himself and his family, given threats posed by the armed robber after an earlier early release from prison.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said this during his appearance before Parliament's vetting committee on Tuesday.

Read also: Chief Justice nominee explains why he sentenced notorious armed robber Atta Ayi to 70 years in prison

Background

Ataa Ayi, who was described by the police as the nation's most notorious bandit,t had a high price tag placed on his head by the police. His whereabouts before he was captured prompted the largest manhunt in the nation's crime history, with expensive billboards bearing his portrait mounted in five of the ten regions of the country. Ataa Ayi was arrested in his hideout in the Teshie Tsui Bleo, a suburb of Accra.

His girlfriend, suspected to be an accomplice, was also arrested in the raid.

Before his arrest, the police had been on his heels for months. His deputy, Emmanuel Tetteh, also known as Mpata, was also arrested. It was believed that information provided by Mpata might have helped to track down the elusive Ataa Ayi.

According to police, Ataa Ayi was the brain behind most of the brutal armed robberies in Accra. He and members of his gang were alleged to have, at gunpoint, stolen money, cars, jewellery and other valuables from various people in the national capital. He was also alleged to have shot several people who resisted his attacks. He was convicted of multiple counts of armed robbery offences and jailed in 2005.