Warehouse Keeper in Accra Court for Stealing Turkish Doorways Worth GH¢398,700: Ghana Theft Case Details

Introduction

In a striking case of warehouse keeper theft in Ghana, Emmanuel Asamoah, a warehouse keeper at SMS Properties Ghana, appeared before the Accra Circuit Court charged with stealing 66 Turkish doorways valued at GH¢398,700. This incident highlights the risks of employee theft in warehouses, a common challenge for businesses handling high-value imports like Turkish doorways. Presided over by Judge Susana Eduful, the court proceedings underscore Ghana’s strict stance on theft under the Criminal Offences Act. Asamoah pleaded not guilty, securing bail while investigations continue. This article breaks down the facts, legal steps, and lessons for preventing similar stolen goods in Ghana warehouses.

Analysis

Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions

The Accra Circuit Court admitted Asamoah to bail of GH¢100,000 with two sureties, both required to be public servants earning at least GH¢3,000 monthly. This bail structure ensures accountability in Ghana court cases for theft. The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Ebenezer Teye-Okuffo, must file disclosures by December 1, 2025, following standard practice directions.

Details of the Stolen Turkish Doorways

SMS Properties Ghana, directed by a complainant residing in Spintex, Accra, specializes in property materials including imported Turkish doorways. Asamoah managed the warehouse at the Cambodia, Baatsona outlet. Entrusted with 66 doorways in 2023—comprising 24 one-and-a-half doorways, 39 inner doorways, and 3 double exterior doorways—he allegedly stole them. A routine stock check on August 26, 2025, by the complainant and witness Dennis Dagadu revealed the shortage, valued at GH¢398,700.

Investigation Findings

Police at Baatsona arrested Asamoah after questioning yielded no explanation. Further probes implicated Prince Dadzie, Asamoah’s apprentice, who claimed Asamoah sold doors on the complainant’s instruction—a claim contradicted by evidence showing Dadzie lacked warehouse control. Asamoah misrepresented himself to witness Isaac Osei Darko as a salesperson authorized for credit sales, selling 25 doorways and receiving payments via personal bank and MoMo accounts. The remaining 42 doorways were sold to others. Asamoah refunded GH¢20,000 during investigations, but the full value remains outstanding.

Summary

Emmanuel Asamoah, warehouse keeper at SMS Properties Ghana’s Baatsona outlet, faces stealing charges for 66 Turkish doorways worth GH¢398,700. Discovered missing in a 2025 stock audit, the theft involved unauthorized sales. He pleaded not guilty in Accra Circuit Court, was granted GH¢100,000 bail with sureties, and investigations continue into December 2025. This case exemplifies warehouse employee theft Ghana risks with imported goods.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Preventing Warehouse Theft in Ghana Businesses

For warehouse managers handling high-value items like Turkish doorways in Ghana, implement inventory tracking software for real-time audits. Conduct surprise stock checks quarterly, as in this case, to detect discrepancies early. Use CCTV and access logs to monitor employee movements.

Employee Training and Controls

Train staff on fiduciary duties under Ghana’s labor laws. Limit access to keys and sales authority—Asamoah’s misrepresentation as a salesperson highlights this gap. Segregate duties: separate stock handling from sales approvals. Require dual signatures for high-value transactions.

Financial Safeguards

Direct all payments to company accounts only, blocking personal bank or MoMo use. Insure imported goods against theft, and bond key employees like warehouse keepers for recovery in employee stealing cases Ghana.

Points of Caution

• Avoid sole custody of high-value stock; rotate responsibilities to prevent abuse.
• Do not authorize informal credit sales without documentation—Asamoah’s claims lacked backing.
• Verify apprentice statements; Dadzie’s allegation was disproven by hierarchy evidence.
• Report suspicions immediately to police, as delays can complicate Ghana theft investigations.
• Partial refunds like GH¢20,000 do not absolve liability; full restitution is required.

Comparison

Similar Warehouse Theft Cases in Ghana

This case mirrors other warehouse keeper stealing Ghana incidents, such as the 2022 Ashanti Region case where a storekeeper pilfered electronics worth GH¢200,000, leading to a 5-year sentence. Unlike petty thefts under GH¢10,000 often handled via fines, high-value cases like this (GH¢398,700) invoke felony charges.

Imported Goods vs. Local Stock Theft

Turkish doorways, as luxury imports, command higher scrutiny than local materials. Comparable to 2024 Tema port cargo thefts valued at millions, where insiders colluded, this solo act emphasizes individual accountability. Bail conditions here (public sureties) are stricter than minor cases using landed property.

Legal Implications

Under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), Section 124 defines stealing as feloniously taking movable property without consent. For values exceeding GH¢500, it’s a first-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment or fines thrice the value. Asamoah’s case qualifies due to GH¢398,700. Courts like Accra Circuit handle such mid-level felonies, with bail per Criminal Procedure Act allowing release pending trial if flight risk is low. Unauthorized sales convert trust to theft, as proven by personal account receipts. Conviction could bar future employment in fiduciary roles under labor laws.

Conclusion

The Emmanuel Asamoah case at Accra Circuit Court reveals vulnerabilities in warehouse management Ghana, where entrusted employees like keepers handle valuable Turkish doorways. With a not guilty plea, GH¢100,000 bail, and ongoing probes into 2025, it stresses robust controls. Businesses must prioritize audits, training, and legal compliance to mitigate stolen Turkish doorways Ghana risks. This incident educates on safeguarding assets amid rising employee theft trends.

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