Two managers of Bridge Micro Credit have been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly seizing 955 women's dresses from a customer's shop. Gideon Yeboah, the 39-year-old Recovery Manager, and Godfred Bright Eku, the 50-year-old General Manager, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, unlawful entry, and stealing. The dresses, valued at GH¢513,000, were reportedly confiscated in lieu of defaulted loan payments.
The incident stems from a loan obtained by Sally Naadei Neequaye, wife of a clergyman, Benjamin Okpoti. In April 2024, Neequaye secured a GH¢50,000 loan from Bridge Micro Credit, agreeing to a repayment schedule of GH¢11,249 monthly for six months. While she made the first payment in August 2024, subsequent payments were missed.
On December 19, 2024, Yeboah and Eku, accompanied by six others, entered Neequaye's shop in Tudu and seized the 955 dresses. The items were packed into two bags and taken away. Mr. Okpoti subsequently reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of the two managers.
During the investigation, Yeboah and Eku admitted to the act, and 166 of the dresses were recovered by the police. However, the remaining 789 dresses, valued at GH¢513,000, remain unaccounted for.
Presiding over the case, Judge Christina Cann granted the accused bail at GH¢513,000 each, with three sureties each, two of whom must be justified. The case has been adjourned until February 24, 2025. The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, is presenting the case against the accused. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, raising questions about the ethical and legal implications of loan recovery practices.
