Driver jailed 5 years for stealing GH¢300k low bed truck

A driver, Kwame Oppong, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Asante Akropong Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District for stealing a low-bed truck valued at GH¢300,000 in Pankrono, near Kumasi.

Presiding over the case, Mrs. Gloria Mensah Bonsu convicted Oppong after he pleaded guilty to the charges.

Presenting the case, Police Chief Inspector Ruth Gborson explained that the complainant, Stephen Kingsley Annor, a businessman based in Pankrono, had employed Oppong, who resided in Adankwame, near Akropong, as his driver.

According to the prosecution, in May 2023, Annor engaged Oppong to operate his Man Diesel low-bed truck, registered GE 2113-11, within Pankrono. However, two months later, the vehicle developed a mechanical fault. Annor directed Oppong to park it at a designated spot at Kumasi Sofoline and take the truck’s head to Suame Magazine for repairs.

Oppong, however, persuaded Annor that storing the truck at his mother’s home in Adankwame-Nsiakrom would be a safer alternative to prevent theft. Trusting his driver, Annor accepted the suggestion.

Unbeknownst to him, Oppong had other intentions. He secretly sold the truck to a scrap dealer, identified as Abubakar, for GH¢12,000 and then vanished.

After repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach Oppong, Annor reported the case to the Abuakwa police. Investigations led to Oppong’s arrest in Offinso-Abofuor, his hometown.

During questioning, Oppong admitted to the crime and guided the police to the supposed buyer’s residence in Afful Nkwanta. However, the alleged buyer had already disappeared.

Following thorough investigations, Oppong was officially charged, convicted, and sentenced to five years in prison.