Court detains 23-year-old unemployed man over alleged theft

An Accra Circuit Court has remanded a 23-year-old unemployed man into police custody for allegedly stealing $9,000, £4,400, and €700 from a medical officer at the Police Hospital in Accra. Philip Kodzi, charged with theft, pleaded not guilty.

His accomplices, Sarah Onyinyechie, a 23-year-old beautician, and Raphael Dovlo, a 23-year-old painter, are jointly held for abetment of crime; both have also pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Basilia Adjei-Tawia, remanded Kodzi into police custody and granted Onyinyechie bail in the sum of GH₵50,000.00 with two sureties, both of whom must reside within the court's jurisdiction. "One of the sureties must be justified with an indenture, and all sureties must show proof of identity.

Onyinyechie is required to deposit all her travel documents with the court's registry and report once every week at the Police Cantonment until the orders are vacated," the court added.

Dovlo was granted bail in the same amount, with two sureties who must also reside within the court's jurisdiction. "One of the sureties must be justified with an indenture or a bank statement showing a closing balance not less than the bail sum, and all sureties must show proof of identity.

Dovlo is to report once every week at the Police Cantonment until the orders are vacated," the court stated.

Police Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori, holding a brief for Police Inspector Rosemond Anyane, told the court that the complainant, Chief Superintendent Dr. Rosen Yeboah is a medical officer at the Police Hospital, Accra.

In October 2023, the complainant employed Kodzi as a driver and house help through an agency. Kodzi resided in the same house as the complainant and his family.

In April, Kodzi entered the complainant's room and stole $9,000, £4,400, and €700 kept in a box. "He then exchanged the money for Ghana Cedis and gave GH₵110,000.00 to his girlfriend, Onyinyechie, a Nigerian national," the prosecution added.

Onyinyechie reportedly used part of the money to rent and furnish a room at Pantang. Kodzi also gave GH₵30,000.00 to Dovlo for safekeeping before fleeing.

The accused persons were later arrested in their new residence by the Police Intelligence Unit. A search revealed GH₵11,600.00, and other property in the room was taken to the police station. During the investigation, an additional GH₵30,000.00 was retrieved from Dovlo, totalling GH₵41,600.00 recovered.

The prosecution stated that investigations are still ongoing.