Energy ministry staff before court for stealing ADB’s GHc287,000

A Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Regina Abanga has been arraigned at the Circuit Court in Accra and slapped with 116 counts of stealing totaling GHc287, 775.47.

Abanga, 44, is said to have manipulated Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and succeeded in stealing the said sim belonging to the Unit Head of the bank.

She has pleaded not guilty to all the 116 counts of stealing and has been granted bail in the sum of GHc250, 0000.

In addition to the bail sum, the court presided over by Her Honour, Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, said she should produce three sureties, one of whom should be justified with a landed property worth GHC125,000.

She is also to report to the police every Wednesday until further notice, while the case has been adjourned to September 5.

Per the brief facts of the case presented to the court by DSP Evans Kesse, were that the Complainant, Irene Aka Antwi is a staff of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) Head Office.

The Complainant is also said to be the Unit Head Officer, E-Business Operation at the bank, whilst the accused, Regina Abanga is a Secretary with the Ministry of Energy, Ministries-Accra.

DSP Kesse told the court that the Accused holds an account with the (ADB), Ridge Branch.

The Prosecutor said, between November, 2022 and June 2023, the accused person manipulated some ADB ATM machines across the Accra metropolis and succeeded in withdrawing a total amount of GH287, 775.47 belonging to the Bank.

He said, on June 15, 2023, one Solomon Inkoom of ADB Labone Branch, detected some unusual ATM withdrawals by the accused.

DSP Kesse said, the witness informed the complainant who then reported to the ADB’s risk team.

Accused A.T.M card was subsequently blocked to prevent her from further withdrawals.

The Prosecutor said, on June 16, 2023 at about 5.00pm, accused went to ADB Ridge Branch, Accra to withdraw money from the ATM machine, but the card was captured.

The Prosecutor said, the accused then went to the banking hall to report the incident to Management only to be arrested by the Bank’s Risk team and handed over to the Ministries Police.

He said, during investigations, the accused admitted the offence and indicated further that she used some of the stolen money to acquire a Toyota Vit with registration number GE-3545 -21 and also to finance a three storey building which has reached a 5-cause level.

The Prosecutor said, after investigation the accused person was charged with the offence and brought before the Honorable Court.