The Accra Circuit Court Two denied bail on Friday to two individuals accused of stealing cash, electronics, and other items from Reverend Lillian Kumah, widow of the late former Deputy Minister of Finance, John Kumah.

The accused, Adams Sanogo, a trader, and Kwame Dunga, who remains at large, are alleged to have conspired to steal US$50,000, GH¢50,000, an iPhone 15 Pro Max valued at GH¢15,000, and other valuables from Reverend Kumah, whose husband passed away in February.

The stolen items also include an Apple iPad valued at GH¢15,000, a Samsung Z Fold mobile phone worth GH¢12,000, a Microsoft laptop valued at GH¢7,000, a black school bag priced at GH¢400, and an Apple Watch.

Rabiu Falilu, a recent Senior High School (SHS) graduate, is also accused of receiving some of the stolen goods dishonestly.

Sanogo and Falilu, who were apprehended in the Ashanti Region and transferred to the Accra Police, have denied the charges. They were remanded into police custody last Friday to assist with the ongoing investigation and to help locate Dunga, who is still on the run.

The court, presided over by Isaac Addo, denied the bail request made by their lawyer, Benjamin Ofori. The accused are scheduled to reappear on August 7, 2024.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Raymond Ackom reported that Reverend Kumah, who lives in Achimota-Mile 7 in Accra, discovered the theft on December 29, 2023. The intruder accessed her home and stole personal belongings. Reverend Kumah provided the Police with CCTV footage of the incident.

On July 24, 2024, police arrested Falilu in Jamasi, Ashanti Region, where he was found with the stolen iPhone 15 Pro Max. Falilu led the Police to Adum PZ in Kumasi, resulting in Sanogo’s arrest. During interrogation, Sanogo admitted to selling the phone to Falilu and implicated Dunga, a mobile phone dealer at Adum PZ, as his accomplice.

Sanogo and Falilu were charged and brought before the court, while efforts continue to apprehend Dunga.

In their bail application, the defense argued that Sanogo and Falilu had stable addresses, were not flight risks, and had credible sureties.

They also claimed that Sanogo was a middleman and Falilu a mere SHS leaver who cooperated with the Police.

The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that the accused might interfere with the investigation, fail to appear in court, and had been evading arrest since 2023. The Police, who had deployed intelligence officers to the Ashanti Region, arrested them only recently.