An Agona Swedru Circuit Court has sentenced two individuals to a combined 25 years’ imprisonment for stealing cables belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

Ebenezer Fosu, alias Kwame Okae, a 39-year-old fisherman, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment with hard labour, while Abubakar Sadick, a 24-year-old scrap dealer, received 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Fosu was charged with conspiracy to commit a crime (stealing), causing unlawful damage, stealing, and interference with a supplier’s distribution system, meter, or equipment. Sadick was charged with abetment to commit a crime.

They both pleaded guilty and were convicted on their own plea by the presiding judge, Justice Jonathan Nunoo. A third suspect, known only as Nana and believed to be part of the gang, is currently on the run.

Presenting the facts, Inspector Bernice Nyarkowah told the court that on July 9, 2025, Fosu and the said Nana planned to steal electrical cables from the Young Rui Company located at Gomoa Mprumen near Winneba in the Central Region.

On the same day at about 10:00 p.m., the pair contacted Sadick, who owns a tricycle, and arranged for him to pick them up with the stolen items at an agreed location.

At around 12:30 a.m. on July 10, 2025, Fosu and Nana carried out the theft, cutting electricity cables from the main transmission poles supplying the company. The stolen cables were valued at GH¢81,000. They also made away with two car batteries valued at GH¢2,000.

Following the theft, Fosu called Sadick to transport the items to his scrap shop at Gomoa Ankamu. The three men loaded the items into the tricycle, but upon spotting police officers near Simbrofo, they abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee.

Police personnel on duty at the checkpoint arrested Fosu and Sadick after preliminary questioning. Nana managed to escape.

During investigations, Fosu led the police to the theft site, and both suspects admitted to the crime.