In a recent ruling by the Pakyi District Court, a 23-year-old driver, Derick Appiah, has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour for the theft of a susu box containing over GH¢20,000. The judgment was delivered after Appiah pleaded guilty to the charges of unlawful entry and theft. His sentencing, however, has been deferred until August 5, 2025.
The Incident
The case unfolded in Mpatasie, a town in the Ashanti Region, where both the complainant, Ebenezer Agyei, and the accused reside. Agyei, aged 24, serves as a Station Master at Mpatasie, while Appiah works as a driver. Though the two work together, they live in separate residences.
On July 29, 2025, Agyei left his home and returned at approximately 9:30 AM to find his room had been broken into. Upon inspection, he discovered that his susu box—a traditional savings container—was missing. The box reportedly contained over GH¢20,000 in savings.
Agyei immediately raised an alarm, which attracted the attention of two witnesses, Destrol and Agya Owusu. The witnesses informed Agyei that they had seen Appiah earlier that day searching for him. Suspicious of Appiah’s involvement, Agyei and the witnesses began a search for him.
Arrest and Recovery of Stolen Funds
Appiah was subsequently found and arrested by Agyei and the witnesses. During the arrest, some unidentified individuals assaulted Appiah. He was later taken to a hospital for treatment before being handed over to the Trede Police for further investigation.
According to Police Chief Inspector Christian Amartey, Appiah admitted in his cautioned statement to stealing the susu box but claimed he was unaware of the exact amount it contained. Following his confession, Appiah led his mother to the location where he had hidden the box. She retrieved it and handed it over to the police.
The police recovered GH¢2,047 from the box, which was retained as evidence. The remaining amount reportedly could not be accounted for. Appiah was subsequently charged with theft and unlawful entry.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During court proceedings, Appiah pleaded guilty to all charges brought against him. His admission of guilt resulted in a conviction on his own plea. The court sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour, reflecting the gravity of his actions. However, the implementation of the sentence has been deferred until August 5, 2025.
Conclusion
This case serves as a reminder of the consequences of criminal behavior and highlights the importance of safeguarding personal property. The swift actions of the complainant and witnesses ensured that justice was served. While Appiah’s sentence provides closure for this incident, it also underscores the need for community vigilance and cooperation in addressing crime.
As this story continues to resonate within Mpatasie and beyond, it is hoped that such incidents will prompt greater efforts toward fostering trust and accountability within local communities.
-GNA
Curated by Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
