The act of pick-pocketing has been so perfected that anyone in Accra can be quietly relieved of his money, passport, cheque-book or entire salary together with his back-pay, in a split-second. It is almost magical! writes the Spectator.

The Weekend paper continues that the capital has become so infested with the stylish thieves that a lady with a bag gets home only to realise that the money she is carrying is nowhere to be found, by 'courtesy' of a small hole created, through which the money is spirited away.

The experience of Kassim Yakubu Basha, is however, one of melodrama, according to the paper. He boarded a bus, and the man who sat next to him, leaned slightly towards him as if he wanted to spit through the window.

This seemed perfectly normal. But moments later, Kassim found out that the 100 dollar bill in his breast pocket was no longer there. It was amazing because no one had put his fingers into his pocket, and so the money could not have been anywhere else.

Anyhow, the man next to him, Samuel Nyarko, became his prime suspect, because of his proximity. Samuel, 20, unemployed, was confronted and scrupulously searched but nothing was found on him. When he was questioned about the missing money, he refused to speak. This further aroused suspicion.

Samuel was taken to the Nima Police Station and when he was questioned, he admitted swallowing the 100-dollar bill.

He was detained in police cells whilst being monitored. The following day, when Samuel visited the toilet, the money was expelled. He then handed it over to the police.

Samuel was put before the Osu Community Tribunal last Wednesday, chaired by Nana Donkor, charged with stealing. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years imprisonment in hard labour.