Three Beninois Convicted For Stealing

There was drama at the Madina Magistrate Court in Accra when three Beninois traders who were arrested for shoplifting at the Woodin Fashion Shop at the Accra Mall wept and pleaded for leniency after the presiding Magistrate, Her Worship, Emelia Abruquah, convicted them of conspiracy to commit crime and stealing.

Their sentences have, however, been deferred till later.

Togbe Lydia and Guenou Rose, in their mid 60’s and a male accomplice, Gerard Tsihimanba, the third accused person, were arraigned two weeks ago, but the case had to be adjourned till last Friday, July 8, 2011, because of the unavailability of a French interpreter. All of them pleaded guilty to the two counts.

Tsihimanba, who pleaded guilty to the first count of conspiracy to commit crime and was convicted on that plea, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing. But his female suspects told the court that it was he, Tsihimanba, who lured them to Ghana to steal.

Consequently, the magistrate, granted Tsihimanba bail in the sum of GH¢2,000 with two sureties to re-appear today.

Presenting the facts of the case, ASP Patience Mario stated that on June 24, 2011, two of the accused persons, Togbe Lydia and Guenou Rose, went to the Woodin Fashion Shop at the Accra Mall, while the third accused, Gerad Tsihimanba waited in a taxi cab at the car park.

ASP Mario said Lydia and Rose purchased one piece of wax print and left the shop.

The prosecutor said just as the two women were about to leave the shop, a witness in the case, Anthony Adokpor, who is also a shop attendant, said he suspected the women and confronted them.

According to the prosecutor, a body search was conducted which revealed two pieces of Super wax and Vlisco fabrics.

She said a further search in the taxi they hired revealed seven pieces of Vlisco and two pieces of Woodin, which were suspected to be stolen items.

ASP Maria said the three were arrested and handed over to the police.

According to the prosecutor, during investigations, a shop attendant, Dennis Adutwum of the Osu branch of the Woodin Fashion Shop identified the items to have been stolen from the Osu branch.

She said Lydia and Rose admitted committing the offence in their caution statement. However, Gerard, the third accused, denied knowledge of the offence.

The items were tendered as evidence, but were later returned to the complainants on the orders of the magistrate.