Her Honour Ellen Ofei-Ayeh, a Magistrate at an Accra Circuit Court, has threatened to strike out an alleged GH¢1.2 million criminal case involving an absa Bank former staff and 16 others.
The court held that, should the prosecution fail, by the next hearing date, July 21, 2023, to do the needful the case would be struck out.
The order followed a prayer by the prosecution for adjournment, as it had referred the docket to the Attorney-General’s (A-G) Office for advice. Mrs. Ofei-Ayeh expected the prosecution to file all the necessary documents for the commencement of the trial, and would, therefore, not entertain any delays.
Prior to the last adjournment on July 7, 2023, Chief Inspector Isaac Anquandah prayed the court on two occasions to put the case on hold to enable him amend the charge sheet and brief facts to fall in line with six other accused persons who surrendered themselves to the police.
C/Insp. Anquandah had still not filed the amended version of the document, as a result of sending a copy of the docket to the A-G for advice. The outcome of the A-G’s advice would determine the continued trial of Emanuel Sakyi Afriyie, a former absa Bank staff, who has been accused along with 16 others for allegedly stealing from seven customers of the bank’s funds.
Emmanuel and his alleged cohorts, 12 in all with the rest on the run, have made between four and three appearances before the court.
Those standing trial are Emmanuel (A1), 25 and now a businessman, 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).
The police are yet to arrest Clinton Asamoah (A7), Kwame Owusu Buadu (A8), Daniel Osei (A12), Ernest Aryee (A15), and Isaac De-Heer (A16).
A1is facing all 13 charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, stealing, forgery of other documents, and falsification of accounts. The rest are answerable to stealing and conspiracy to commit a crime.
A2, A3, A4 A5 A6 A7, A9, A10, A11, A13, A14, A15 and A17 are on GH¢200,000.00 bail each with two sureties, who are gainfully employed, and earning not less than GH¢2,500 a month.
