Unemployed Man Convicted for Stealing Administrator’s Phone at CHRAJ

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KEY POINTS

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• A job seeker stole a CHRAJ administrator’s phone while following up on his application.
• CCTV footage linked him to another theft, leading to his arrest.
• The court has deferred sentencing to February 27 as investigations continue.

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A 36-year-old unemployed man, Foster Nyarko, has been convicted of stealing a Samsung Galaxy A54 5G mobile phone belonging to a Principal Administrator at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

Nyarko, who was allegedly seeking employment, visited the CHRAJ office in October 2024 to follow up on his job application. However, when he found the office empty, he took the administrator’s phone, worth GH¢4,999, and left unnoticed.

His actions came to light after police connected him to another case of theft at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra.

According to Graphic Online, he was arrested on January 30, 2025, and later identified as the culprit behind the phone theft through Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage.

Appearing before the court presided over by Basilia Adjei-Tawiah on February 6, Nyarko pleaded guilty to two counts—unlawful entry and stealing. The judge, however, deferred sentencing to February 27, 2025.

Police confirm prior criminal activity

During court proceedings, Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori Appiah, the lead prosecutor, narrated the facts of the case.

He explained that Nyarko, originally from Effiekuma in Takoradi, had approached CHRAJ’s front desk managers on October 23, 2024, claiming he was following up on his job application.

Instead of leaving after his inquiry, Nyarko entered the complainant’s office, located on the first floor, Room 15. Noticing that no one was inside, he took the mobile phone from the desk and left.

The next day, the administrator reported the theft at the Ministries Police Station in Accra.

On January 30, 2025, police arrested Nyarko for another theft at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. Investigators then reviewed CCTV footage from CHRAJ, which clearly showed Nyarko taking the phone.

On January 31, 2025, officers escorted him back to the crime scene, where he admitted to stealing the device.

Sentencing postponed as investigations continue

While Nyarko has pleaded guilty to the charges, the court has decided to delay sentencing. Authorities believe his involvement in multiple thefts requires further investigation before a final judgment is delivered.

The police have urged organizations to strengthen security measures, including installing surveillance systems, to deter criminal activities.

This case also serves as a warning to job seekers and visitors entering workplaces under false pretenses. Officials emphasize that theft in professional settings undermines trust and creates an unsafe environment for employees.

Nyarko will remain in police custody until his sentencing on February 27.