Security guard nabbed for allegedly stealing

A security guard, Ferdinand Sylvester, said to have stolen several items totalling GH¢12,450 has been arraigned at the Adentan Circuit Court in Accra.

The items included, four shirts, two bags and cash of 900 Chinese Yuan.

He allegedly received the package containing the items and more from a Yango delivery rider but could not account for it to the recipient.

The accused was before the court, presided over by Sedinam Awo Balokah on August 13, 2024.

He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with one surety and the case adjourned to August 20, 2024. 

Brief facts
Presenting the case before the court on August 13, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, stated that the complainant, Sefadzi Abena Amesu, was a musician residing at Britannia Court, East Legon Hills, Accra.

The accused, a Nigerian, worked as a security guard at the complainant’s residence.

The prosecutor explained that on June 27, 2023, the said package containing; a Huawei phone valued at GH¢ 4,000, four shirts valued at GH¢ 1,500, four leather purses valued at GH¢1,500, two lady's bags valued at GH¢ 1,800, a red Nike sneaker valued at GH¢ 900, a bottle of perfume valued at GH¢ 850, and cash of 900 Chinese Yuan, all totalling GH¢ 12,450 was given to a Yango delivery rider for delivery to the complainant's residence. The prosecutor said when the rider arrived at the residence, the gate was already opened, but the accused was not at his post.

This prompted the rider to call and inform the sender, a witness in the case, who told him that the complainant (receiver) was not at home and instructed him to leave the package with the accused.

The prosecutor noted that the rider removed the package from his motorbike and placed it at the doorstep of the security room, waiting for the accused to return. When the accused arrived, the rider handed over the package to him.

C/Insp Lanyo added that the rider again called the sender who spoke with the accused to confirm receipt of the package. 

Ferdinand also confirmed to the sender that the complainant’s (receiver) name was Sefa and that she occupied room six of the apartment.

The prosecutor said when the complainant later arrived to collect the package, the accused denied knowledge of the package or his interaction with the said rider.

According to the prosecutor, the complainant immediately called the rider, who confirmed having handed over the package to the accused and provided a detailed description of the accused. 

The prosecutor stated that the accused was subsequently apprehended by the complainant and her neighbours and taken to the Lakeside Community Eight Police Station, where a report was made.

C/Insp Lanyo indicated that in his caution statement, the accused denied the offence but admitted having had an interaction with the rider. 

The prosecutor further noted that investigations, including Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, revealed the rider’s arrival with the package at the security post, his interaction with the accused, and the accused leaving the premises without the package.

The prosecutor added that after investigations, the accused was charged with the offences listed on the charge sheet and brought before the court.