A prisoner granted his freedom through an amnesty proved unworthy of the pardon when he booked another term at the Kete-Krachi Prison. He was caught stealing from a prison officer’s room immediately after his release.

Giving the facts of the case, DSP Thomas Addy told the Kete-Krachi District Tribunal that Theophilus Bright Akorli was among 22 prisoners who were granted amnesty by the government in April, this year.

He said on the day of his release, Akorli, in the company of others now at large, broke into the room of a prison officer, Corporal Elizabeth Aboagye, ransacked her room and stole 10 half pieces of cloth, a video deck and a cash of ?250,000.

Corporal Aboagye, who returned home from town just at the time of the burglary, heard an unusual noise in her room. Akorli, who was hiding under the bed, ran out of luck when his long legs betrayed him.

With the help of others, Akorli was dragged from his hiding place and sent to the police station. It was later detected that he had hidden the video deck in the store of the house and had passed on the 10 half pieces of cloth and the cash to his accomplices who were outside.

When interrogated by the police, Akorli said he entered the house to demand a debt from Corporal Aboagye.

He was charged with unlawful entry and stealing before the tribunal, chaired by Mr Hans Edward Risch, who in his judgement described Akorli as a notorious criminal and sentenced him to 48 months imprisonment with hard labour.