A 34-year-old trader, who allegedly stole Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) valued at GH¢10,000 belonging to an Italian diplomat has been arrested by the police in Agbobloshie, in Accra.
Oboripoan Uja, suspect, was said to have stolen the PPE meant for Health Aid Centre, an Italian non-governmental organisation (NGO) operating in Saboba in the Northern Region.
The Head of Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Juliana Obeng, disclosed these to the Ghanaian Times in Accra, on Wednesday.
She said the CID had began investigations into the case, adding that the trader had been charged with the offence of stealing contrary to section 124(1) of the Criminal Code and other Offences Act, 1960, and had been put before court.
DSP Obeng said Uja had been granted bail with two sureties, and the case had been adjourned to May 21, 2020.
Information available to the Ghanaian Times, indicate that on April 4, complainant (name withheld) went to Agbobloshie with the intention to arrange with a transport operator to take the PPE to the NGO at Saboba, but could not succeed that day.
The complainant said later when he went to the yam market at Agbobloshie, he met Uja, who told him he was a driver and could assist him deliver the items and the two exchanged their contacts.
On April 20, complainant called Uja and he took delivery of the items, and GH¢250 as transportation cost with a promise to deliver the items.
The following day the complainant called the potential recipient of the items to find out if he had received the items, but responded in the negative.
Complainant called Uja, who told him that his vehicle had a mechanical fault, and promised to deliver the items at Saboba.
Afterwards when the diplomat called Uja on phone several times and he refused to answer the calls, he reported the case to the Director-General of CID, resulting in the arrest of the suspect.
When the police conducted a search in Uja’s room at Agbobloshie, seven boxes of the PPE, valued at GH¢2,391 was found.
