A 40-year-old security guard, Samuel Nortey Botchway, has been sentenced to seven years in prison by an Accra Circuit Court for stealing €5,600 from the Head of Administration’s office at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Head Office in Accra.
The presiding judge, Mr. Isaac Addo, delivered the sentence after Botchway pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and three counts of stealing.
Although the judge noted that the accused was a first-time offender and had shown remorse by returning GH¢10,000, he emphasised the premeditated nature of the theft and the betrayal of trust, calling for a deterrent punishment.
The thefts occurred on May 17, May 24, and June 19, 2025, after the victim, who had stored €5,740 in his drawer before travelling abroad, began noticing missing funds.
The court heard that Botchway had stolen a universal entry card from his superior, which he used to access the victim’s office and steal money in three separate incidents.
The crimes were eventually uncovered after the victim installed a hidden CCTV camera, which captured Botchway stealing from the drawer.
According to Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, Botchway confessed to using the stolen access card from the Head of Security’s office to enter the victim’s room.
He admitted spending the stolen money on room refurbishment, a refrigerator, television, clothing, shoes, school fees, and food and drinks.
The judge ruled that the seven-year sentence would run concurrently for each count, marking the court’s firm stance on internal theft and abuse of access in public institutions.
