The Bono Regional Police Command has successfully secured the conviction of four individuals involved in the theft of 26 laptops and other equipment from the National Identification Authority (NIA) office in Newtown, a suburb of Sunyani.
Investigations revealed that between January and October 2022, the NIA warehouse in Sunyani was unlawfully broken into on two separate occasions, resulting in the theft of 26 HP laptops valued at GHC 405,570, along with other office equipment.
On March 4, 2023, police arrested Asante Anthony Junior, a student, at Newtown following an anonymous tip-off. A search conducted at the time uncovered several stolen items, later confirmed by the complainant as property belonging to the NIA.
Further investigations established that the stolen laptops had been sold to Ameyaw Eliezer, a mobile phone repairer, Jovies Amoh Afriyie, also known as Lord, and Dodzi Kwaku Gordon, while other accomplices remain at large.
The accused were subsequently arraigned before District Court B in Sunyani. Asante Anthony Junior was convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently. The other three accused were convicted of dishonestly receiving stolen property and fined GHC 20,000 each or, in default, to serve eighteen months’ imprisonment.
The Bono Regional Police Command assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects and recover the missing laptops. The Command also urged anyone with relevant information to assist the police in bringing all individuals involved in the crime to justice.
