Following his sentencing to 15 years in prison on charges of conspiracy to steal, abetment of crime, and money laundering, a businessman, Frank Kwesi Obeng, reacted vehemently in the circuit court.

Upon hearing the verdict, Obeng reportedly questioned, "Do you recognize me from somewhere? Why have you sentenced me to 15 years in jail?" He then proceeded to remove his shirt and approached the judge aggressively.

Fortunately, the prosecutor and a court warrant officer intervened in the nick of time, escorting the trial judge, Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, to her chambers.

Obeng was subsequently escorted out of the courtroom without his shirt and sandals, leaving him bare-chested.

Several supporters present in the courtroom also expressed their doubts about the complainant's claims and objected to the court's judgment.

Additionally, Joyce Safowaa, Obeng's wife and accomplice, who was found guilty on charges of conspiracy to steal, abetment of crime, and stealing GH₵712,229 belonging to the complainant, Mavis Toffan, also stood in the dock.

Safowaa is to serve 10 years imprisonment, to which she shouted amidst tears: “God, I am dreaming”! and sat in the chair in apparent disbelief.

At the conclusion of the trial, Judge Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah issued the following orders:

All landed properties and a Toyota Venza, believed to have been acquired through proceeds from the crimes, are to be handed over to the complainant.

The items in a shop owned by the convicts are to be released to the complainant.

The convicts, Joyce Safowaa and Frank Kwesi Obeng, are required to reimburse the complainant an amount totaling GH₵712,229.

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Haligah, presented the case, explaining that the complainant, Mavis Toffan, is a businesswoman residing in Accra. She is the proprietor of MAVOBED Enterprise, specializing in children's clothing and baby accessories. Her business includes a large store in Okaishie and a warehouse where she stores her goods.

According to the prosecution, Toffan regularly imported goods from China and occasionally received deliveries from fellow traders in Okaishie.

Joyce Safowaa and Frank Kwesi Obeng, both residents of Accra, were in a romantic relationship. Safowaa worked as a salesperson in the complainant's shop for 13 years and had gained her trust. Toffan entrusted Safowaa with the keys to both her store and warehouse, even during her business trips to China.

In 2013, Obeng convinced Safowaa to steal from Toffan to start their own business. They rented a store in Weija to execute their plan. Safowaa's access to the keys made it easy for her to pilfer goods from the store and warehouse, which they used to stock their Weija shop. She would discreetly transfer the stolen goods to Obeng, who would then transport them to their shop in a BMW saloon car.

This theft continued until their Weija shop was full, and they restocked it as needed. Safowaa sometimes ordered goods in Toffan's name but diverted them to their shop.

In 2015, Obeng used the proceeds from the stolen goods to rent a store in Kasoa for nine years at GH¢45,000. They moved their shop from Weija to Kasoa and also purchased a Toyota Venza for GH¢45,000 to facilitate the transportation of stolen goods. Obeng further bought a plot of land in McCarthy Hill for GH₵10,500 with the stolen funds.

The complainant only discovered the theft in 2016 when her business began experiencing financial difficulties and declining profits. In January 2018, she initiated an investigation and reported Safowaa and Obeng to the police. During interrogation, they admitted to the offenses in their statements.

The complainant led the police to the couple's shop, where she identified goods worth GH₵80,000, some of which had her name embossed on them. She produced receipts as evidence of her ownership, while the couple could not provide any purchase documents. An inventory was taken of the goods at the Kasoa shop.

“The audit report revealed that between the years 2013 to 2018, Safowaa stole goods worth GH₵712, 229.”