A recent news report revealed that three siblings and two others have been charged with stealing 2.4 kilograms of gold worth GHc1.8 million or equivalent to $150,000. Theresa Oppong, 28, was said to be the mastermind behind the theft, while Alice Gyan, 21, was charged with abetment. Beatrice Asabea, who is also a sibling, is currently at large.
The defendants were arraigned before the Circuit Court in Accra and pleaded not guilty. Oppong was remanded while Gyan was granted bail in the sum of GHc50,000 with two sureties who should be her relatives. Meanwhile, Ishmael Ocansey and Thomas Adjapon, both gold dealers, were charged with dishonestly receiving and were on Police enquiry bail. They did not show up in court and have been warned to show up at the next court sitting.
According to Chief Inspector Amoah Richard, the complainant Sopam Maseker, who is an employee of AU Gold Resources Ltd, a Gold buying company in Ghana, had some amount of money and 2.4 kilograms of gold concealed in a bag under his bed. On March 23, 2023, Oppong was called to clean and dress the bed and discovered the valuables. She called Alice to discuss how to steal the money, and subsequently, the gold was sold to Ishmael and Thomas at their shops at Adabraka.
Oppong, Alice, and Asabea reportedly posed as galamsayers from Obuasi, and the gold was sold to the gold dealers at prices of GHc360,000.00 and GHc369,728.00. Asabea took part of the gold and the entire booty away because Ishmael and Thomas had no money to buy them. The theft was detected on March 24, 2023, and the matter was reported to the police. Oppong and Alice were subsequently arrested and brought to the CID headquarters for questioning.