The Bono Regional Police Command has successfully secured the conviction of four individuals involved in a series of brazen thefts at the National Identification Authority (NIA) warehouse in Sunyani.

The District Court B in Sunyani has sentenced the primary culprit, a student, to a two-year prison term, while three others were slapped with heavy financial penalties for their roles in receiving the stolen property.

The ruling brings a measure of closure to a high-value theft case that compromised state-owned technology intended for national registration efforts.

Investigations into the criminal activity revealed that unknown persons broke into the NIA warehouse at Newtown, a suburb of Sunyani, on two separate occasions between January and October 2022. During these incursions, the thieves made away with 26 HP laptops and assorted office equipment.

The financial impact of the theft was significant, with the stolen hardware valued at a staggering GH₵ 405,570.00.

The case remained cold until March 4, 2023, when a "Good Samaritan" provided a crucial tip-off to the authorities.

Acting on this intelligence, police arrested Asante Anthony Junior, a student, in Newtown. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of several items that the NIA later identified as its property.

Further police work established that the stolen laptops were not kept by the thief but were instead funnelled into the local market.

Anthony Junior sold the equipment to three specific individuals: Ameyaw Eliezer, a mobile phone repairer; Jovies Amoh Afriyie (also known as Lord); and Dodzi Kwaku Gordon.

The court’s final verdict focused heavily on deterrence:

• Asante Anthony Junior: Convicted on multiple counts of stealing and sentenced to two years imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently.
• The Receivers: Eliezer, Afriyie, and Gordon were convicted of "dishonestly receiving". The court ordered each man to pay a fine of GH₵ 20,000.00.
• Default Penalty: Should any of the three convicted receivers fail to pay their fines, they will be required to serve an 18 prison sentence.

In a statement signed by Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, Public Relations Officer for the Bono Regional Police Command, the police warned that the case is not yet entirely closed.

While four have been convicted, other accomplices associated with the warehouse break-ins remain at large.

“The Command also encourages members of the public with relevant information to assist the Police in bringing all persons connected to the crime to justice,” the statement read.

The police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining suspects and recover the outstanding laptops that have yet to be retrieved.