Two individuals have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly dishonestly appropriating GH¢344,960. 

Gyasi Robert Sekyere, unemployed, and Esther Akuamoah face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and stealing.  

Both accused have pleaded not guilty. 

The court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, has granted each of the accused bail in the sum of GH¢400,000 with three sureties, one of whom must be justified.  

The case has been adjourned to January 28, 2025. 

Inspector Sheila Tetteh, representing the prosecution, stated that the complainant, Matilda Agyapong, is a businesswoman residing in East Airport.  

She operates shops selling women’s dresses and handbags in Makola and Dzorwulu, Accra. 

According to the prosecution, Sekyere was the manager of the Dzorwulu shop, and Akuamoah was sales personnel there.  

Sekyere was employed in October 2022, while Akuamoah joined in August 2023. 

The prosecution explained that Akuamoah kept daily sales records in a book, while Sekyere entered the sales data into a computer provided by the complainant. 

In June 2024, the complainant noticed that several ladies’ handbags were missing from the shop.  

As a result, she hired an internal auditor to conduct a stock audit and compare the stock with the amount reported from sales. 

The audit revealed a discrepancy of GH¢194,000, which the accused could not account for.  

On October 2, 2024, the complainant reported the matter to the police. 

The investigation was further expanded on October 17, 2024, when the police enlisted the services of AA Adams Chartered Accountants, a licensed audit firm, to re-audit the sales and stock records. 

On December 16, 2024, the audit firm submitted a report covering November 25, 2023, to October 2024, indicating that the accused had stolen GH¢344,960.