A 38-year-old manageress has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Asante Abuakwa Circuit Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality for stealing GH¢221,937.75 at Santasi, Kumasi, Ghana.
The woman pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing and was convicted on her own plea.
Police Detective Inspector Alexander Agbekpornu, prosecuting, told the court, presided over by Mr. Jephthah Appau, that the complainant in the case was the General Manager of FOE Lotto Limited, a subsidiary of Lotto and Lotteries, located at Santasi. The convict was the manageress of the Atwima-Techiman branch.
The prosecutor explained that between 22nd March and 2nd June 2024, the complainant discovered that the convict had stolen part of the lotto sales she received from sub-agents on behalf of the company, instead of remitting the funds to the head office in Kumasi.
The total amount stolen during this period was GH¢221,937.75.
A report was made to the Suntreso Police, leading to her arrest. In her caution statement, she admitted to the offense.
According to the prosecution, a forensic audit revealed that after the winning numbers had been drawn, the convict forged lotto tickets, falsely indicating that she had won in several lotto games in an attempt to conceal the theft.
Following further investigations, she was charged and brought before the court.