Two men jailed 40 years for stealing from church

The Nsuta Circuit Court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Ekow Mensah on Thursday convicted two persons to a total of 20 years imprisonment each for stealing a generator and video deck valued at GH¢2,000 from the Bonkrong Ebenezer Methodist Church near Nsuta in the Sekyere Central District.

The convicts, Gabriel Adjei Donkor, 40, and Kwaku Collins, 24, were charged on four counts which are 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 respectfully for each count.

They are to serve concurrently thus 10 years each.

The third person, Kwaku Baah, 41 who was charged for dishonestly receiving the items, pleaded guilty and was fined GH¢2,400 or in default serve 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 investigation 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 GH¢450 but paid GH¢350 with the balance to be paid later.

The generator was repainted and given a new colour.