An accountant accused of stealing GH28,214,102 belonging to the Amasaman-Pokuase District Branch of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court.
The money, believed to be proceeds from the company’s daily receipts from clients for electricity consumptions, was allegedly paid into the account of the accused, Benjamin Afam Nti, who doubled as manager of some designated areas within the Amasamn-Pokuase District of ECG.
Nti, 61, is facing a count of stealing contrary to Section 124(1) of the Criminal offences Act 29 of 1960.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and had been admitted to bail pending trial.
The accused is expected to reappear before the court, presided over by Ms. Ellen Vivian Amoah, on July 27, 2015.
The police prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Charles Chester, earlier prayed the court to remand the accused person as investigations were ongoing.
However, Mr. C.K. Chambers, counsel for the accused, objected to the prosecution’s request, saying the accused person is law-abiding and has a place of abode and would not interfere police infestation.
Counsel further explained that the offence leveled against the accused person was bailable and, as such, the court should not grant its blessing for the accused person to be remanded.
Facts of the case
Mr. Chester told the court that, the complainant is a retired Human Resource Director and currently operating a recognized Bonded Agent of the Electricity Company of Ghana, which covered some designated areas within Amasaman-Pokuase.
The accused, the prosecutor said, is an accountant and employed by the complainant to oversee all financial transactions within the designated areas of the ECG.
The prosecution contended that, the accused has to receive all daily cash from all the cashiers working with the agent and deposited same money into the ECG account at Nsawam on daily basis.
Additionally, the accused has to also give daily report after close of work to the District Manager of the ECG.
However, between 1th -20th of January, 2014, the accused received cash from the cashiers but failed to deposit same into the company’s accounts at Nsawam without any reason.
The prosecution said the complainant detected the anomalies and confronted Nti over the matter, but he could not give any tangible explanation and, upon several queries, the cash was reported to the police.
Nti, the prosecution said, was arrested and during interrogation he admitted the offence and states in his caution statement that he invested the money into his private company.
He was later charged with the offence, while investigation continues on the matter.
According to the police, Nti has since refunded GH14,000 to the ECG and promised the court that he would refund the rest to the company.
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