CCF saves ‘Skeleton’ from Prison

30-year-old Samuel Kweku Sakyi aka ‘Skeleton’ from Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region has been released from prison after he was sentenced to eighteen months for stealing a motorcycle.

According to him, he admitted to committing the crime when he was asked by the court that sentenced him. He said he bolted with the motorbike after he believed his master breached the promise of releasing the bike to him on a work and pay basis.

He revealed to crimecheckghana that his account of his daily sales to his master at a point kept dwindling because his 18-year-old girlfriend made monetary demands from him though the amount he gave her did not exceed Ten Ghana cedis.

As a result of increasing financial demands from her girlfriend, ‘Skeleton’ as he is popularly known in Akyem Oda, said life was not getting better so he escaped with the motor.

“When I started working, I accounted made a daily sales of One Hundred Ghana cedis and Seventy Ghana cedis for close to a year though my master did not demand a fix amount. I felt I had finished paying for the motorbike so I was expecting him to hand it over to me which he didn’t do.” He said.

He added “I had a girlfriend in town whom I was taking care of and that led me to steal the machine because of the unnecessary pressure she put on me for money so I had to run away with the motor.”

Sakyi said he was asked to pay a fine of One Thousand, Eight Hundred Ghana cedis or in default serve an eighteen months prison term at the Koforidua Local Prison.

CCF’s intervention

Crime Check Foundation, CCF went to ‘Skeleton’s’ aid through its Petty Offenders project with support from a philanthropist, Ali Ibrahim to pay his fine for his release.

The Executive Director of CCF, Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng who has been advocating for the non-custodial sentencing bill to be passed into law, led the team to the Koforidua Prison to see to his release. He said “this is your discharge warrant so the good news is that, a philanthropist Ali Ibrahim has paid your fine for you to go home.”

A remorseful Sakyi fell to the ground and showed gratitude to God and Ali Ibrahim for coming to his aid. “Thank you, God, for making Ali Ibrahim to support me. May you bless him and grant him long life and prosperity.” He prayed.

The Petty Offenders Project

Through the project, CCF has facilitated the release of more than Six Hundred Petty Offenders.