Her Honour Ellen Ofei-Ayeh has indicated that the case involving GH¢1.2 million alleged stolen by an absa Bank former staff from customers’ accounts may be struck out.
This is the second time the Judge has threatened to strike out the case due to failure on the part of the prosecution to file disclosure for commencement of the trial.
The prosecution had since June 26, 2023, not been able to file disclosures on the excuses that they had to amend the charge sheet and brief facts, as well as that the docket had been referred to the Attorney-General’s (A-G) Department for advice.
After two weeks adjournment, the prosecution claimed they had not received any response from the A-G.
Thus, the Accra Circuit Court gave the prosecution a last warning to file their disclosures by August 3, 2023, or risk the case been struck out.
Mrs. Ofei-Ayeh held that although some of the accused persons were on bail, the liberty of first accused (A1), Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie, was limited because he was on remand.
She ordered the prosecution to file their disclosures by or on August 3 and adjourned the case to August 7, 2023.
Friday, July 21, 2023, became the fifth appearance of Emmanuel in court.
Emmanuel (A1), 25 and now a businessman, is standing trial together with Cecil Nyamesem Agyarkwa (A2), Richard Aikins (A3), Michael Tweneboah Oppong (A4), Fouad Mohammed (A5) and Caleb Bandoh (A6).
Others are Nicholas Nii Sai (A9), Nana Kwesi Gyimah (A10), Benjamin Adoari (A11), Boadu Nana Yaw Adjei (A13), Joseph D Anim (A14) and Othniel Amankwah Darkwa (A17).
Clinton Asamoah (A7), Kwame Owusu Buadu (A8), Daniel Osei (A12), Ernest Aryee (A15), and Isaac De-Heer (A16) who are yet to be arrested.
A1 is facing additional charges including forgery of other documents and falsification of accounts, all totalling 13. The rest are answerable to stealing and conspiracy to commit a crime.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the offences, and with the exception of A1, have been remanded and granted bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 each, with two sureties who are in gainful employment and earn not less than GH¢2,500 a month.
