Adentan Circuit Court in Accra has remanded a 20-year old mason in police custody for theft and unlawful entry.
Yussif Abdulai Masawudu was charged on counts of causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry, intentionally causing damage and dishonestly appropriating electrical tools and appliances of Wisdom Kwabena Posodua.
He pleaded guilty with explanation on the charge of causing unlawful damage and unlawful entry, but pleaded not guilty to the rest of the charges.
Masawudu, explained to the court, presided over, by Angela Attachie, that even though he entered the premises, he did not steal the items.
He is to re-appear on April 4.
Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, prosecuting, told the court that the accused is an electrician residing at Nanakrom, in Adentan, while the complainant, Wisdom Kwabena Posodua, is a 43-year-old electrical contractor, and a resident of Santeo, also in Adentan.
The prosecution said the complainant owns an electrical appliances shop, which was being operated by his wife, a witness in the case.
Chief Insp Lanyo stated that when the witness opened the shop, she noticed that the facility had been broken into.
The prosecution said that when witness informed Posodua about the incident, he (complainant) rushed to the shop.
Chief Insp Lanyo said complainant found out that thieves had broken into the shop through the roof and made away with electrical cables and standing fan worth GH₵31,800 and caused damage to the roofing sheets and ceiling valued at GH₵1,650.00
The court heard that the complainant reported the matter to the police at Lakeside Community 8 for investigation.
Chief Insp Lanyo said while investigation was ongoing, accused broke into the shop again through the roof.
The court heard that a witness in the case heard an unusual noise from the shop, and alerted neighbours about the issue.
Chief Insp Lanyo said when the neighbours rushed to the shop, they saw accused coming from the facility with electrical cables, and sensing danger, he (accused) threw the cable away and took to his heels.
The prosecution said the neighbours arrested Masawudu, and he later led them to retrieve a rice cooker, two Elbee fans and its blades, three LED panel lights, one electric iron, one drum of PVC flexible cables, one coil of 1.5 cables, a pair of scissors and pliers and extension cord valued at GH₵4,500.
Chief Insp Lanyo said the accused in his caution statement, admitted to the offence, and mentioned Christopher and another man as accomplices, who are at large.
BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU