Four more suspects, Nicholas Nii Sai, Nana Kwesi Gyimah, Joseph Anim, and Othniel Amankwah Darkwah, who were previously mentioned in connection with the alleged theft of GH¢1.2 million from customers' accounts, appeared in an Accra Circuit Court today.
Although their pleas were not taken, they have been granted bail and are scheduled to reappear in court on June 29, 2023. The case investigators are still actively looking into the matter.
With the appearance of these four suspects, the total number of accomplices who have reported to the police has reached 12. However, there are still four additional suspects being pursued by the investigators.
Kwame Owusu Boadu, Daniel Osei, Boadu Nana Yaw Adjei, and Clinton Asamoah are alleged to have conspired with Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie, the lead accused and a former bank worker, in the theft of over GH¢1.2 million from customers' accounts.
Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie, who allegedly withdrew funds from customers' accounts without their consent, is facing charges of conspiracy and 12 counts of stealing, along with the other accomplices.
Afriyie used the customers' user identities and passwords to carry out the unauthorized transactions, even targeting the accounts of deceased individuals, including a former Inspector General of Police and a judge.
The prosecution stated that Afriyie sent the stolen funds to the accounts of his alleged accomplices. Afriyie is currently in custody, while all the other accomplices have been granted bail.
During today's court session, the pleas of the four new suspects were not taken, as the prosecution requested more time to modify the charge sheet. They are set to appear in court again on June 29, 2023.
The case revolves around Afriyie's alleged registration for an online coding course, which he paid for using a customer's Visa card. Afriyie resigned from his position at the bank shortly after the bank's fraud team began investigating the unauthorized transaction.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Afriyie had accessed colleagues' user IDs and passwords to manipulate customer accounts, allowing him to transfer a total of GH¢945,133.00 to various individuals, including the accused's own girlfriend and other accomplices.
The bank officials became suspicious of Afriyie's actions, leading to the detection of multiple unauthorized transactions. The investigation revealed that Afriyie changed the contact numbers on several accounts, transferred funds, and set up online and mobile banking access without the customers' knowledge.
The accused's attempted escape to Dubai with his girlfriend, who acted as a surety, was foiled when he was apprehended by the Ghana Immigration Service at the Kotoka International Airport on June 4, 2023.
The case remains under investigation, and further developments are expected as the court proceedings continue.
