Two granted GH¢400,000 bail over alleged stealing

Two individuals are facing trial at the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly misappropriating a total of GH¢344,960.

Gyasi Robert Sekyere, an unemployed individual, and Esther Akuamoah, have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and theft. Both accused parties have pleaded not guilty.

Presiding over the case, Judge Samuel Bright Acquah granted bail to each of the accused, setting the amount at GH¢400,000 with three sureties. One of the sureties must provide justification. The case has been adjourned to January 28, 2025.

According to Inspector Sheila Tetteh, who represents the prosecution, the complainant, Matilda Agyapong, is a businesswoman residing in East Airport. She owns shops specializing in women’s dresses and handbags in the Makola and Dzorwulu areas of Accra.

The prosecution detailed that Sekyere was employed as the manager of the Dzorwulu shop in October 2022, while Akuamoah joined as sales personnel in August 2023. Akuamoah was responsible for maintaining a daily sales record, which Sekyere would then transfer into a computer provided by the complainant.

In June 2024, discrepancies arose when the complainant discovered that several ladies’ handbags were unaccounted for. This prompted her to hire an internal auditor to reconcile the shop’s stock with the reported sales figures. The audit revealed a shortfall of GH¢194,000, for which the accused could not provide an explanation.

The complainant subsequently lodged a police report on October 2, 2024. To ensure accuracy, the police brought in AA Adams Chartered Accountants on October 17, 2024, to conduct a comprehensive review of the shop's records. On December 16, 2024, the auditors submitted their findings, covering the period from November 25, 2023, to October 2024. The report concluded that the accused had embezzled GH¢344,960.