Lotto branch manager jailed five years for embezzling over GH¢221K in Kumasi

A 38-year-old woman has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Asante Abuakwa Circuit Court for embezzling more than GH¢221,000 from her employer in Santasi, Kumasi.

Akua Darkoah Asamoah, who worked as the manageress of the Atwima-Techiman branch of FOE Lotto Limited, pleaded guilty to the charge of theft and was convicted accordingly.

Presenting the case, Police Detective Inspector Alexander Agbekpornu explained that the complainant is the General Manager of FOE Lotto Limited, a subsidiary of Lotto and Lotteries based in Santasi. Between March 22 and June 2, 2024, Asamoah failed to remit sales collected from sub-agents to the head office in Kumasi, diverting the funds for her personal use.

An internal audit uncovered that a total of GH¢221,937.75 had gone missing during that period. A report was subsequently filed with the Suntreso Police, leading to her arrest. During interrogation, Asamoah confessed to the theft.

Further investigations, including a forensic audit, revealed that she attempted to conceal the embezzlement by generating fake winning lotto tickets, suggesting she had won in several games.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, she was formally charged and brought before the court, where she was convicted based on her own plea.