Houseboy remanded for looting Master's property

Accra, July 25, GNA - A 30 year-old houseboy who broke into his Master's bedroom and made away with 5,000 pounds sterling; 15-million cedis and four suitcases containing personal effects, was on Monday remanded into prison custody by a Circuit Court in Accra.

Ben Agbele, who was employed 10 days before the incident, was charged with stealing. He pleaded not guilty.

With him in the dock were two persons, who were also charged for dishonestly receiving.

The two, Ernest Cobbina and Theodora Avoka, both traders, pleaded not guilty and the Court admitted them to 200 million cedis bale each with a surety.

They are to reappear on August 25.

The case as presented by Police Inspector A. A. Ahor was that the complainant, Mr Kwadwo Agyei-Twum, a businessman, employed Agbele as a houseboy on July 2, 2005.

He said 10 days after Agbele was employed, he took advantage of his Master's and his family's absence and broke into his bedroom and made away with 5,000 ponds sterling; 15 million cedis, shirts, jewellery, wax prints, shoes, ties, hats among other items.

When the complainant detected the theft he handed over Agbele to the Police and during interrogation he admitted the offence. The Police said investigations revealed that Agbele used part of the money to purchase, a Fridge, VCD and other items and gave Cobbina seven wax prints and three laces while Theodora allegedly received 14 hats. Agbele further led the Police to his wife' house and retrieve six million cedis, 120 pounds sterling and other items.

The Police, however, retrieved a shirt from Cobbina and 14 weeding hats from Theodora.