Convicts get 40 years for stealing from church

The Nsuta Circuit Court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Ekow Mensah on Thursday convicted two people who went to steal a Generator and Video Deck valued GHs 2000 from Bonkrong  Ebenezer Methodist Church near  Nsuta in the Sekyere Central District to a total of 20 years imprisonment each.

The convicts, Gabriel Adjei  Donkor, 40, and Kwaku Collins, 24, were charged on four counts of conspiracy to steal , causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry and stealing. 

They pleaded guilty to all the four counts and were sentenced to three years, three years, four years and 10 years each for each count. They are to serve concurrently. 

The third person, Kwaku Baah,41 who was charged for dishonestly receiving  pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted GHs 2400 fine or in default two years imprisonment.

Chief Inspector Nana Boamah, the prosecutor, told the court that the complainant in the case was Joseph Ofori  Appiah, the Steward of Bonkrong Ebenezer Methodist Church.

He said on December 14, 2014, at about 5.30 a.m. the steward went to the church only to find that the padlock to the entrance of the Church had been forcibly opened, and the generator and the video deck belonging to the Church stolen.

He said a complaint was made to the police and after investigations the first two suspects were arrested and during their caution statements, admitted having stolen the items.

Chief Inspector Nana Boamah said on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, the first accused person Gabriel Adjei  Donkor led the police to Ayigya near Kumasi where they arrested the third accused person who was charged  for dishonestly receiving.

He said when the generator was retrieved from the accused; he admitted buying it from his sellers at GHS 450.00 but paid GHS 350.00 with the balance to be paid later. The generator was repainted and given a new colour.