This case revolves around Kwabena Gyimah, a 20-year-old resident of Palladium, Accra Central, accused of breaking into homes and stealing mobile phones in the Sakumono Community 17 area. Gyimah, also known as “69,” appeared before an Accra Circuit Court facing six charges: three counts of unlawful entry and three counts of stealing. The charges stem from an incident where Gyimah allegedly stole mobile phones from three individuals, including a journalist named John Foley, a banker named Andy Ababio, and a resident named Vida Akwei Naadude. Gyimah pleaded not guilty to all charges. His accomplice, known only as “Coded” or IB, remains at large.
The sequence of events began on August 5, 2025, when John Foley awoke to find his iPhone 14 Pro Max missing from beside his bed and his window ajar. Reviewing his home’s CCTV footage, Foley identified Gyimah on his property during the night. He promptly reported the theft to the Sakumono police. Subsequently, Foley shared his experience on the community’s WhatsApp platform. This led to two other residents, Ababio and Naadude, realizing that they too had been victims of similar burglaries. Ababio reported the theft of his iPhone 11 and Samsung S22 Ultra, while Naadude reported the loss of her Samsung A5. Both individuals also filed reports with the Sakumono police.
The investigation gained traction when police traced Foley’s stolen iPhone 14 to a mobile phone shop at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra. The phone was recovered and secured as evidence. The investigation continued, leading to a breakthrough on December 31, 2024, when acting on intelligence, police located and arrested Gyimah at his hideout in Palladium, Accra. He was subsequently transferred to the Sakumono police station on January 3, 2025. During questioning, Gyimah confessed to the thefts and admitted to selling the stolen phones to his accomplice, “Coded,” a Nigerian national who remains at large.
The case was brought before the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah. The prosecution, represented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Benjamin Kofi Baafi, presented the facts of the case, detailing the sequence of events leading to Gyimah’s arrest and confession. While ASP Baafi did not oppose the granting of bail, he requested that the bail conditions stipulate Gyimah’s mandatory attendance at all court proceedings until the conclusion of the case.
Gyimah’s defense counsel, Mr. Kofi Bonney, also pleaded for bail for his client. The court, after considering the arguments, granted Gyimah bail in the sum of GHC 50,000 with three sureties. As part of the bail conditions, Gyimah was ordered to report to the police station weekly. The case was subsequently adjourned to February 4, 2025, allowing for further investigation and gathering of evidence.
This case highlights the growing concern of residential burglaries and the importance of community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement. The use of CCTV footage played a crucial role in identifying the suspect, while the community WhatsApp platform facilitated the connection between victims and the discovery of additional crimes. The ongoing search for the accomplice “Coded” underscores the complexities of tackling organized crime and the need for international collaboration in some instances. The court proceedings will determine Gyimah’s ultimate fate, but the case serves as a reminder of the importance of home security and the role of technology in both crime prevention and investigation.
