This case revolves around Foster Nyarko, a 36-year-old job seeker, who faced legal consequences for stealing a mobile phone from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) headquarters in Accra, Ghana. Nyarko’s actions unfolded on October 23, 2024, when he visited the CHRAJ office, ostensibly to follow up on a job application. He gained access to the first-floor office of a Principal Administrator, Celis-Jane Nyadroh, and in her absence, stole her A54 5G mobile phone, valued at GHC4,999. This act initiated a chain of events that ultimately led to Nyarko’s arrest and subsequent imprisonment.
The theft was reported to the Ministries Police Station in Accra by the complainant, Celis-Jane Nyadroh, on October 24, 2024. However, it was not until several months later, on January 30, 2025, that Nyarko’s luck ran out. He was apprehended at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons while attempting a similar theft. This apprehension proved crucial in linking him to the earlier crime at CHRAJ. The management at the College of Physicians and Surgeons provided CCTV footage to the police, clearly showing Nyarko committing the theft at CHRAJ, solidifying the evidence against him.
Upon being confronted with the evidence, Nyarko confessed to stealing the phone from CHRAJ and unlawfully entering the complainant’s office. This confession, along with the CCTV footage, provided the prosecution with a strong case against him. Nyarko was subsequently charged with unlawful entry and stealing, setting the stage for his court appearance.
The case was presided over by Judge Basilia Adjei-Tawiah. Nyarko pleaded guilty to both charges, acknowledging his wrongdoing. Though convicted at the initial hearing, the judge deferred sentencing to allow for a thorough consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case. During the sentencing hearing, Nyarko pleaded for leniency, expressing remorse and promising not to repeat the offense.
Despite his plea for leniency, the court handed down a sentence reflecting the seriousness of his crimes. Nyarko received a 13-month prison sentence for unlawful entry and a two-year sentence for stealing. However, the court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning Nyarko would serve a maximum of two years in prison. This concurrent sentencing took into account his guilty plea and possibly other mitigating factors considered by the judge.
This case highlights the consequences of opportunistic theft, even when driven by circumstances such as unemployment. Nyarko’s actions, initially motivated by his job search, led him down a criminal path, ultimately resulting in imprisonment. The case also underscores the importance of security measures, such as CCTV footage, in identifying and apprehending perpetrators of theft. The evidence provided by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons played a crucial role in connecting Nyarko to the crime at CHRAJ and securing his conviction. The case serves as a deterrent against such behavior and emphasizes the importance of seeking legitimate means of employment, even in challenging circumstances.
