The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) Court in Accra, presided over by Her Honour Annette Sophia Essel, has granted bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 to a 33-year-old trader, Latifa Salifu, who is standing trial for allegedly stealing a baby at Mamprobi Polyclinic.
The complainant, Precious Ankonnal, 29, a trader residing at James Town in Accra, was represented in court by Lawrence Neequaye.
Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei led the prosecution, while Dr Hamisu Muhammad appeared for the accused.
At the sitting yesterday, the prosecution informed the court about the old charge sheet before it was amended.
“The new charge sheet is an amended charge sheet of the case. The old one was a provisional charge while the case was still under investigation.
“The Police have finished their investigation and have formally charged the accused person and that is the amended charge sheet in the docket. With your permission, we want to take the plea of the accused,” Chief Inspector Aniagyei submitted.
Her Honour Essel inquired whether the amended charge sheet had been served on the accused. Both the prosecution and defence confirmed that it had.
The court subsequently struck out the old provisional charge and substituted it with the amended charge before taking the plea of the accused.
On Count One of Child Stealing, Latifa Salifu pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution’s Facts
Presenting the brief facts, the prosecution stated that on February 14, 2026 the complainant delivered a baby through Caesarean section at the Mamprobi Hospital and was later moved to the recovery ward with her child.
Laboratory tests conducted on the baby diagnosed him with jaundice and a referral to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital was considered for further treatment.
Although the complainant had been discharged, she reportedly remained at the facility because she was unable to settle her medical bills and was moved to the theatre recovery room upstairs.
On February 17, 2026 at about 4:00 am, the accused, allegedly dressed in peach-coloured nurses’ scrubs, approached the complainant, looked at her and the baby and left.
At about 9:00 a.m. the same day, the prosecution said the accused returned and took the baby under the pretext of administering medication. She allegedly left with the child and did not return.
When nurses resumed duty and noticed the baby was missing, the complainant informed them that a woman she believed to be a nurse had taken the child to administer medicine.
A report was subsequently made to the Mamprobi Police Station by a nurse, Abigail Godina.
The prosecution further stated that during the search, the accused allegedly contacted a whistleblower on February 11, 2026 claiming she had delivered at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, but had been discharged due to lack of beds.
The whistleblower reportedly alerted the Dansoman Police, leading to her arrest and subsequent re-arrest in connection with the complaint.
In her initial cautioned statement to the police, the accused denied the offence but later admitted it in a subsequent statement, according to the prosecution. She was thereafter formally charged and arraigned before the court.
Bail Application
Moving the bail application, defence counsel Dr Hamisu Muhammad argued that all offences are bailable at the discretion of the court and urged the court to grant bail on lenient terms.
He submitted that the accused had cooperated with the police since her arrest on February 17, 2026, had a fixed place of abode, and was married with substantial ties within the jurisdiction.
“She is not a flight risk and will not interfere with investigations. She is ready to provide men of good character and moderate means to stand as sureties,” counsel stated, adding that the accused was traumatised and depressed.
The prosecution did not oppose the grant of bail, but prayed the court to impose conditions that would ensure the accused’s attendance whenever required. It further requested that at least one surety be justified with landed property.
Court’s Ruling
In her ruling, Her Honour Essel said the court had considered the submissions of both sides.
Although the court initially indicated that the accused would be remanded to reappear in 14 days, the prosecution informed the court that it would be unavailable due to an official course scheduled from February 24 to March 27.
In the circumstances, the court admitted the accused to bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with two sureties, one of whom must justify with landed property valued at GH¢150,000.
The sureties are to deposit their Ghana Cards with the court registry, while the accused is to deposit all travel documents with the registry.
Additionally, she is to report to the investigator every Monday and Thursday at 1:00 p.m.
The case has been adjourned to April 8, 2026.
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