The Tarkwa Circuit Court in Ghana’s Western Region has fined two men a total of GH¢21,600 for unlawful entry, stealing and dishonestly receiving, after the prosecution said they were linked to the theft of mobile phones from a room in Akoon.
Emmanuel Mensah, 28, described in court as unemployed, and John Paul, 40, an artist, were each fined GH¢10,800. In default, each would serve 24 months’ imprisonment with hard labour, prosecutors said.
Prosecution outlines alleged break-in in Akoon
Assistant Superintendent of Police Joseph Lartey told the court that the complainant, Jibril Warris, a trader living in Akoon, and his siblings charged an iPhone 12, an iPhone XR and an HMD Android phone before going to bed on the night of 18 January 2026. The devices were valued at about GH¢7,000, the court heard.
The prosecution said Warris woke around 2:00 am the next day and found the door to their room open and the light on, but the phones were missing.
Repairer alert leads to arrest, police say
Prosecutors said the complainant informed mobile phone repairers at the Tarkwa main lorry station and asked them to alert him if anyone brought similar phones for formatting.
According to the prosecution, on 20 January 2026 Mensah took one of the phones to a repairer at the station and asked for GH¢100. The repairer noticed the complainant’s photograph on the device and reported the matter to police, leading to Mensah’s arrest, the court heard.
Two iPhones recovered after second suspect arrested
In a caution statement, Mensah told police he had sold the iPhone 12 and iPhone XR for GH¢300 to Paul and handed the HMD Android phone to another person for safekeeping, prosecutors said.
The prosecution said Mensah later led police to Paul, and the two iPhones were retrieved from him.
