Accra Circuit Court Denies Bail to Suspects in High-Profile Theft Case

The Accra Circuit Court Two on Friday refused bail to two persons who allegedly stole money, electrical gadgets, and other items from Lillian Kumah, the widow of John Kumah, a former Deputy Minister of Finance.

Adams Sanogo, a trader, and Kwame Dunga, who is currently at large, allegedly conspired to steal US$50,000, GH¢50,000, and an iPhone 15 Pro Max mobile phone valued at GH¢15,000 from Reverend Lillian Kumah, widow of Mr. Kumah, who was also a former Member of Parliament for Ejisu. Mr. Kumah passed away in February this year.

The accused are also believed to have stolen her Apple iPad valued at GH¢15,000, a Samsung Z Fold mobile phone valued at GH¢12,000, a Microsoft laptop valued at GH¢7,000, a black school bag valued at GH¢400, and an Apple Watch.

Rabiu Falilu, a Senior High School (SHS) leaver, is also accused of dishonestly receiving some of the stolen items.

The accused persons, who were arrested in the Ashanti Region and handed over to the police in Accra, have denied the crime and were remanded into police custody last Friday to assist in the investigation. They are also expected to help the police in apprehending an accomplice identified as Kwame Dunga, who is on the run.

The court, presided over by Isaac Addo, declined to grant them bail as requested by their counsel, Benjamin Ofori. They are to reappear on August 7, 2024.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Raymond Ackom stated that Reverend Lillian Kumah, the complainant, is a resident of Achimota-Mile 7 in Accra. Sanogo is a mobile phone dealer at Adum-PZ and resides in Kokoso, both suburbs of Kumasi, while Falilu resides in Jamasi in the Ashanti region.

On December 29, 2023, an unknown person gained access to Reverend Kumah’s residence and stole her personal belongings. She made a formal complaint to the police, providing CCTV footage of the incident.

On July 24, 2024, a police investigation led to the arrest of Falilu, who was found with Reverend Kumah’s iPhone 15 Pro Max in Jamasi. Following his arrest, Falilu led the police to Adum-PZ in Kumasi, where Sanogo was arrested. During interrogation, Sanogo admitted to selling the phone to Falilu and implicated Dunga, another mobile phone dealer at Adum-PZ, who is currently at large.

The prosecution stated that Sanogo and Falilu were cautioned, charged with the offense, and brought before the court, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dunga.

In seeking bail, counsel for the accused argued that Sanogo and Falilu had fixed residences, were not flight risks, and had substantial individuals willing to act as sureties. He highlighted that Sanogo was merely a middleman who purchased a phone from Dunga, and Falilu, an SHS leaver, had cooperated with the police.

The prosecution opposed the bail application, arguing that if released, the accused would interfere with investigations and might not appear for trial. They noted that the suspects had been on the run since 2023, and it was only due to the deployment of intelligence officers to the Ashanti Region that they were apprehended two days ago.