An Accra Circuit Court has convicted a 36-year-old unemployed man, Foster Nyarko, for stealing a mobile phone from the office of a Principal Administrator at the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in Accra.
Nyarko, who was charged with unlawful entry and stealing, pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea by the court, presided over by Basilia Adjei-Tawiah. However, sentencing has been deferred to February 27, 2025, to allow the court to consider relevant circumstances before delivering a final verdict.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori Appiah, detailed how the crime was committed. According to him, the complainant, Celis-Jane Nyadroh, serves as a Principal Administrator at CHRAJ’s headquarters in Accra. The accused, Nyarko, is an unemployed man residing in Effiakuma, a suburb of Takoradi in the Western Region.
On October 23, 2024, Nyarko arrived at CHRAJ’s premises under the pretext of following up on a job application at the Human Resources Department. After engaging in conversation with front desk managers and gaining their trust, he made his way to the first floor, where he entered Room 15—an office belonging to the complainant.
At the time, the complainant was not present, leaving the office unattended. Nyarko took advantage of the situation and stole a Samsung Galaxy A54 5G mobile phone, valued at GHC 4,999, which belonged to the complainant.
The following day, on October 24, 2024, Ms. Nyadroh discovered her phone was missing and immediately reported the theft to the Ministries Police Station in Accra.
Despite efforts by the police to track down the suspect, Nyarko managed to evade arrest for several months. However, his luck ran out on January 30, 2025, when he was apprehended by the management of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, located in Ridge, Accra. He was caught in connection with another offence, which bore a striking resemblance to the CHRAJ theft.
Authorities revealed that CCTV footage played a crucial role in exposing Nyarko’s illicit activities. The surveillance cameras captured his movements, providing concrete evidence of his involvement in the crime.
After his arrest, Nyarko was handed over to the Ministries Police for further investigations. On January 31, 2025, law enforcement officers escorted him to the crime scene at CHRAJ headquarters, where he admitted to stealing the phone and unlawfully entering the complainant’s office.
The prosecution emphasized that the accused had deliberately deceived CHRAJ staff by pretending to be a job seeker, only to exploit the opportunity for theft. His actions, they argued, demonstrated a calculated attempt to commit a crime under the guise of seeking employment.
Chief Inspector Appiah, in presenting the facts of the case, urged the court to take into account the evidence presented, including the CCTV footage and the accused’s own confession. He noted that Nyarko’s pattern of behavior suggested he was a repeat offender, raising concerns about his criminal tendencies.
During the court proceedings, Nyarko did not contest the charges leveled against him. His guilty plea led to his conviction, but the court opted to defer sentencing to February 27, 2025. This decision allows time for further considerations, including potential mitigating factors or any additional evidence that may influence the severity of the sentence.
Legal analysts suggest that the court’s decision to delay sentencing may indicate an interest in reviewing Nyarko’s past criminal record, if any, and evaluating whether he has shown genuine remorse. Some believe that given the circumstances, he may face a custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent to others who may contemplate similar offences.
Meanwhile, members of the public have reacted to the case, with some expressing concerns about the growing trend of criminal activities disguised as job-seeking efforts. Others have called for stricter security measures in public institutions to prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to sensitive areas.
A security expert, who chose to remain anonymous, commented on the matter, saying, “Cases like these highlight the importance of having proper security protocols in place. Organizations must implement stringent visitor verification systems to ensure that individuals who enter their premises have legitimate business there. This will help prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.”
Additionally, the case has sparked discussions about the challenges faced by unemployed individuals in Ghana. While many acknowledge the difficulties of securing jobs in the current economic climate, they also stress that resorting to criminal activities is never the solution.
A social commentator, Samuel Osei, weighed in on the issue, stating, “Unemployment is a serious issue, but that does not justify stealing. There are many hardworking Ghanaians who struggle but still maintain their integrity. It is unfortunate that some choose to engage in criminal acts rather than finding legal ways to improve their situation.”
As the court prepares to deliver its final judgment on February 27, 2025, many will be watching closely to see what sentence will be handed down to Nyarko. Legal experts say that given the nature of the crime and the clear evidence presented, a custodial sentence remains a strong possibility.
For now, the case serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in criminal activities, regardless of one’s personal circumstances. It also underscores the importance of security measures in public and private institutions to deter such acts.
Nyarko remains in police custody as he awaits sentencing, with many hoping that justice will be served in a manner that upholds the rule of law and deters similar crimes in the future.
