Two employees in court for stealing GH¢368,628 worth of steel from employer

Two employees of M.J. Steel Ghana Limited are standing trial at the Dansoman Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in a coordinated steel theft operation that cost the company over GH¢368,000.

Albert Alhassan, 38, a night security guard, and Gideon Adjel, 28, a machine operator, have been charged with conspiracy, stealing, and causing unlawful damage after being caught on CCTV allegedly orchestrating the theft of large quantities of steel plates from the company’s premises at Abossey Okai.

Both men have pleaded not guilty.

Presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, the court heard from Chief Inspector Portia Nuarko that the company’s CEO raised the alarm after noticing major inventory discrepancies earlier this year. In response, surveillance systems were installed throughout the facility.

Footage captured on May 15, 2025, around 5:30 p.m. showed the two accused, along with seven others still at large, loading 676 pieces of 1/16 steel plates and 208 metal net plates onto a truck — with a combined estimated value of over GH¢436,000. The stolen goods were then transported to an undisclosed location.

The theft involved forceful entry, with four padlocks securing the facility broken — causing an additional GH¢500 in damages. Investigations revealed that the accused had earlier removed squatters from the front of the premises, allegedly to clear the path for the operation. Though they attempted to conceal their identities by covering their faces, an eyewitness assisted police in identifying them.

Adjel was arrested at Korle Gonno on July 21, 2025, after being tracked through mobile phone data. Alhassan is currently in custody. The court has issued bench warrants for the arrest of the remaining seven suspects: Shadrach Ollenu (a.k.a. Junior), Lord Lamptey, Maxwell Asiedu, Mustapha (security), Abraham Terku, Kingsley Yeboah, and Ibrahim Zakaria.

The charges they face include:

Count 1: Conspiracy to commit a crime (Section 23 of Act 29/60)

Count 2: Stealing 676 steel plates valued at GH¢367,920

Count 3: Stealing 208 metal net plates valued at GH¢68,640

Count 4: Causing unlawful damage to padlocks valued at GH¢500

Alhassan was granted bail in the sum of GH¢450,000 with two sureties — one of whom must provide title documents equivalent to the bail amount. He must also submit his Ghana Card to the court and report to the police biweekly.

The prosecution has been directed to file disclosures and witness statements before the next case management hearing, scheduled for August 27, 2025.