Assistant manager jailed 5 years for stealing ₵199,000 from Chicken Inn

A former assistant manager at the Chicken Inn and Pizza Inn branch at Accra Mall, Collins Acquah, who was charged with stealing GHC 199,040 from his employers, has been jailed for five years with hard labor by the Achimota Circuit Court. Chicken Inn and Pizza Inn are companies owned by Simbisa Brands Limited—a fast-food restaurant and management company. The alleged theft occurred on December 27, 2023.

The prosecution told the Achimota Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honor Mrs. Akosua Anokyewaa Adjapong, that Mr. Acquah accessed the vault room where the proceeds from December 25 and 26, 2023, were stored due to the Christmas holidays. Around 4:23 am on December 27, 2023, he allegedly stole the cash amounting to GHC 199,040. The incident, captured on CCTV footage, was reviewed later that day, confirming the theft.

Following the incident, Collins Acquah fled to Cape Coast and went into hiding. The prosecution indicated that efforts by the management of Chicken Inn and Pizza Inn to contact him proved futile, leading them to report the case to the Airport Police Station.

When the case was called on Monday, June 10, 2024, Mr. Acquah, who was not represented by counsel, pleaded not guilty to the offense. He was charged with stealing pursuant to Sections 123(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29).

In court on Monday, June 10, 2024, a family member who spoke with our reporter on condition of anonymity said Collins would spend over 90% of his monthly salary on betting activities. So, when he stumbled upon an opportunity to steal, he could not resist. With a clouded mind, he succumbed to the allure of easy money and decided to take the risk. Appearing in court in handcuffs, one could easily notice the weight of his betrayal weighing heavily on his conscience. His once peaceful life is now filled with anxiety and paranoia. Collins Acquah’s case must serve as a cautionary tale for others, a reminder that the pursuit of wealth at any cost can lead to ruin.

In court on Thursday, June 20, 2024, when the case was called, Collins Acquah drew the attention of the court that after a sober reflection for seven days in police remand, he would like to change his earlier plea from not guilty to guilty. When asked by the judge about the whereabouts of the stolen cash, he couldn’t provide a meaningful answer.

Her Honor Mrs. Akosua Anokyewaa Adjapong found Collins guilty on his own plea and sentenced him to five years' imprisonment with hard labor. In delivering her judgment, Mrs. Akosua Adjapong took into consideration the age of the accused, being a first-time offender, and his voluntary admission of guilt. He is to pay a 100 penalty unit, which is GHC 1,200, to his former employer and also refund the full amount of GHC 199,040 stolen. Per the judgment, he will serve an additional two years if he fails to pay the 100 penalty units.

His former employer, Chicken Inn and Pizza Inn, is seriously considering civil action to retrieve all the stolen money.