A 29-year-old electrician, Samuel Ledi, also known as “Corn Dealer,” has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Hohoe Circuit Court for stealing a handbag containing GH₵40,000. Another suspect, Tsikata, remains at large.
The court, presided over by Mr. Michael Johnson Abbey, found Ledi guilty of the offense after a full trial. Chief Inspector Charles Aziati, the prosecutor, highlighted Ledi’s criminal history, noting a prior conviction in 2021 for a similar offense involving the theft of a bag containing money and a phone, which resulted in a two-year sentence. He urged the court to impose a harsh penalty in light of Ledi’s repeated offenses.
According to Chief Inspector Aziati, the incident took place on May 22, 2023, when the complainant, a fish trader at the Hohoe market, placed her red handbag (valued at GH₵200) containing GH₵40,000 in a carton beneath her table. Around 1:00 p.m., she discovered the bag was missing and reported the theft to the police. Investigations led to the arrest of Ledi and two suspects.
During questioning, Ledi claimed that Tsikata and another accomplice were the primary culprits and even volunteered to help police locate them in Ashaiman. However, after two days, no suspects were found. On June 6, 2023, new information from the complainant and her husband pointed to Ledi’s involvement, leading to his formal arrest. On June 14, 2023, Ledi and two others were remanded for further investigation.
The investigation later revealed that Ledi had confessed to leading Tsikata and another individual in committing the theft. A cellmate informed the police of Ledi’s admission, and a 13-year-old witness later reported that Ledi had instructed him to steal the complainant’s bag. In an identification parade, the witness identified Ledi as the one who directed him to carry out the theft.
Upon review, the Attorney General’s Office recommended a formal charge of theft, which led to Ledi’s conviction and sentencing. Tsikata, however, remains at large as police continue efforts to apprehend him.
