Tarkwa: The Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced an employee of Samatex Timber and Plywood Company Limited to five years imprisonment with hard labour, for damaging and stealing electrical cables worth GHS137,046 belonging to his employer. Samuel Agyiri, 28, a pump mechanic, pleaded guilty to causing unlawful damage and stealing.
According to Ghana News Agency, the prosecution, led by Police Detective Chief Inspector Adams Mumuni, informed the court presided over by Mrs Hathia Ama Manu that the complainant, Aziz Yakubu, is a security officer at Samatex Timber and Plywood Company Limited. The complainant resides in Samreboi No. 2 quarters, while Agyiri lives near the Samreboi Gyantima road, both within the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality.
Detective Chief Inspector Mumuni stated that on March 11, 2025, at about 0900 hours, Peter Adakabilla, the manager in charge of the company's powerhouse, noticed Agyiri roaming around an area called 'bars,' where electrical cables were connected to the facility. When questioned by the manager about his presence, Agyiri claimed he was not engaged in any activity, leading to his reassignment to work at the hogging yard.
Later that same day, at approximately 1430 hours, the manager observed Agyiri loitering around the powerhouse again. He instructed Agyiri to leave the premises and go home as his shift had ended. However, around 15:15 hours, while the manager was at the hogging yard, he spotted Agyiri pushing a wheelbarrow toward the factory fence near the moulding mill. Suspecting theft, the manager ordered Agyiri to stop.
Faced with potential arrest, Agyiri abandoned the wheelbarrow, picked up an item, wrapped it in a polythene bag, and made a quick exit. The manager immediately contacted the complainant, who pursued Agyiri on a motorbike and apprehended him.
The prosecution reported that Agyiri confessed to the complainant about the theft and led him to a nearby bush where the cables were hidden. Agyiri was then handed over to the Samreboi police, where he admitted to the crime in his caution statement, citing financial difficulties as his motive.
During the ruling, the judge instructed the police to return the retrieved items to the company.
