Housekeeper Sentenced to Two and a Half Years for Stealing $16,000 from Employer

A 27-year-old housekeeper, Thomas Yokpo, has been sentenced to two and a half years of hard labor by the Accra Circuit Court One for stealing $16,000 from his employer. Despite denying the allegations, Yokpo was found guilty after trial and subsequently handed the jail sentence.

Police Inspector Wisdom Alorwu provided details to the Court, presided over by Mrs. Afia Owusua Appiah, explaining that the victim and employer, Mdaihli Fadlelah, resided in Regimanuel Estate along the Spintex road. Yokpo worked as the housekeeper, residing in the complainant’s house.

On March 14, 2023, Fadlelah entrusted Yokpo with $16,000 to deliver to an individual named Ali on the Spintex road. However, Yokpo absconded with the money and Fadlelah’s Apsonic motorbike, bearing registration number M-22-GT 1613, valued at GHC 8,000.00, to an undisclosed location.

Following the complaint lodged by Fadlelah, an investigation ensued. It was discovered that Yokpo had left the motorcycle with a friend, Richmond Annin, in Koforidua, before fleeing to Nigeria.

On September 27, 2023, Richmond Annin was apprehended, leading to the revelation of Yokpo’s whereabouts. Yokpo was subsequently arrested on September 30, 2023, after returning from Nigeria.

During the investigation, Yokpo confessed to the theft in his caution statement, implicating his friend Gideon, who remains at large, as his accomplice in fleeing with the money and the motorcycle.

Inspector Alorwu confirmed that the motorcycle, considered as evidence, had been retrieved and was in police custody.

Following thorough investigations, Yokpo was charged with the offense and presented before the Court, where he was sentenced for his involvement in the theft.