A 31-year-old businesswoman, Francisca Elikem Fudji, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court over allegations that she obstructed and assaulted a police officer and was involved in the removal of property belonging to her former employer.
Fudji has denied the allegations brought against her.
According to the prosecution, Fudji was employed in June 2024 by businessman Jerry Owusu-Brempong to manage his shop, bar and salon located at Lapaz in Accra.
The court heard that Owusu-Brempong, who was travelling outside Ghana at the time, paid Fudji a monthly salary of GH¢1,300 and instructed her to pay the other workers and deposit the remaining proceeds into his account.
The prosecution said Owusu-Brempong returned to Ghana in June 2026 and discovered that Fudji had allegedly failed to render accounts and had not made the required payments into his accounts.
The situation reportedly became more complicated after the tenancy agreements covering the three businesses expired in December 2025. Owusu-Brempong subsequently decided not to renew the agreements and planned to return the premises to the landlord.
However, when he attempted to retrieve his belongings from the shops, the prosecution alleged that Fudji prevented him from doing so and threatened to use people she referred to as “her boys” to kidnap him.
Owusu-Brempong subsequently reported the matter to the Accra Regional Criminal Investigations Department and sought police assistance to recover his property.
The prosecution said police personnel were later assigned to supervise an inventory of the complainant’s belongings at the shops on August 12, 2026.
The case took another turn on August 19 when police returned to supervise the removal of the items. According to the prosecution, Fudji allegedly called several unidentified individuals to the location.
The prosecution told the court that the individuals allegedly prevented the police officer from carrying out his duties and attacked and assaulted him.
The group allegedly demanded GH¢5,000 from Owusu-Brempong before taking possession of some of his belongings as the police officer retreated, according to the prosecution.
Among the items allegedly taken were a 75-inch Samsung television, a double-door refrigerator, a counter table, a three-in-one sofa chair, two shelves, 29 chairs, nine bar tables and eight plastic chairs.
The prosecution further told the court that Fudji was invited to the police station on August 24, 2026. During questioning, she allegedly claimed ownership of the items and indicated that they had been moved to an undisclosed location.
Fudji has denied the charges, and the allegations presented in court have yet to be tested through a full trial.
The court subsequently granted her bail in the sum of GH¢200,000, with three sureties who are required to be gainfully employed.
The case is expected to continue as the court considers the allegations and evidence presented by the prosecution.
The matter highlights the legal disputes that can arise between business owners and managers over property, financial accountability and control of commercial premises. However, the court will ultimately determine the facts and responsibility of the accused based on the evidence presented during proceedings.
Source: Thepressradio.com
