An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 32-year-old unemployed woman to two years in prison for unlawfully entering a church premises located at the 48 Engineer Barracks in Teshie, Greater Accra Region, and stealing various items.
The defendant, Amanda Pascal, admitted guilt to the charges of unlawful entry and theft. The court, under the leadership of Mrs. Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, found her guilty based on her own admission and imposed a two-year prison sentence for each charge, to be served concurrently.
Chief Inspector Abigail Offeibea, who served as the prosecutor, informed the court that the stolen items comprised a deep fryer valued at GH¢1,500, a Bluetooth speaker worth GH¢3,423, 21 trumpet mouthpieces valued at GH¢6,820, a perfume worth GH¢586, and six tins of sardines valued at GH¢200. These items belonged to the complainant, Veronica Owusu Boateng.
The complainant, who works as emergency medical personnel at the 37 Military Hospital, resides at the Teshie Barracks, while the convict, a Nigerian national, lives in Teshie Lascala.
The prosecution stated that on February 15, 2026, following a church service, the complainant was alerted that the 21 trumpet mouthpieces she had stored in her room for safekeeping were missing. Upon further inspection, she found that additional items had also been taken.
A review of the church’s CCTV footage revealed the convict, who had been a regular visitor to the barracks, entering the complainant’s room during the service and subsequently leaving with bags containing the stolen items. The incident was later reported to the police.
On February 17, she was seen in the neighborhood, arrested, and taken to the police station along with several recovered items.
In her caution statement, Amanda confessed to the crime, explaining that she had utilized some of the items and disposed of the trumpet mouthpieces. Only the deep fryer and the Bluetooth speaker were recovered.
The proceedings took a significant turn when the trial judge asked if the defendant had any prior convictions. While the case investigator noted that she had been incarcerated by the LEKMA District Court, Amanda informed the court that she had indeed been previously convicted and sentenced by the same Circuit Court to nine months in prison.
During sentencing, the judge advised her to make use of rehabilitation programs offered by the Ghana Prisons Service and to change her life, especially considering she has young children.
Prior to sentencing, Amanda requested the court for mercy, mentioning that she was in the process of preparing for an outdoor ceremony scheduled for March.
