The Tarkwa Circuit Court has convicted four people for their roles in the theft and sale of a stolen mobile phone after they allegedly tricked a 13-year-old boy with a fake spiritual assistance scheme.
The court, presided over by Her Honour Bernice Mensimah Ackon, sentenced the accused to fines, with custodial terms to be served if they fail to pay.
Issah Raman, also known as Hustler, was fined 150 penalty units on the conspiracy charge and 200 penalty units for stealing, with default prison terms of one and two years respectively.
Fidelis Cudjoe, alias Scanty, received fines of 150 penalty units on both the conspiracy and abetment charges, while Ebenezer Andom, also known as Nana Yaw, was fined 150 penalty units. Mawuli Helegbe was also fined 150 penalty units after pleading guilty to dishonestly receiving stolen property.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on June 11, 2026, when the victim, a 13-year-old boy, was on his way to his father’s workplace in Tarkwa.
The court heard that the first and second accused approached the boy, pretending to be spiritualists who could offer him spiritual assistance. The third accused allegedly joined them and posed as a satisfied client to convince the victim.
During the encounter, Issah Raman allegedly took the boy’s Tecno Pop 40 mobile phone valued at GH¢1,500, while Fidelis Cudjoe fled with the device.
Investigations revealed that the three later sold the locked phone to Mawuli Helegbe for GH¢300, with the proceeds shared equally among them.
Police identified the suspects through CCTV footage obtained from a nearby restaurant, leading to their arrest on June 18, 2026.
The stolen phone was later recovered, while investigators also retrieved clothing allegedly worn by two of the suspects during the crime.
The four were subsequently charged with conspiracy to steal, stealing, abetment of stealing and dishonestly receiving stolen property, leading to their conviction and sentencing.
