An Accra Circuit Court has denied bail to Ahmed Mohammed Lawal, a painter accused of unlawfully entering the Bank of Ghana premises and stealing electrical cables worth a staggering GH₵1,035,500.
Lawal, who pleaded not guilty, was arrested after being captured on CCTV allegedly carrying out the theft.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Augustin Kingsley Oppong, revealed that the suspect was seen on security footage removing the high-value electrical cables from the Bank of Ghana’s building at Ridge, Accra.
After allegedly making away with the stolen materials, he is said to have sold them at an incredibly low price of GH₵2,000 at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, raising suspicions about a possible black-market operation.
During the court proceedings, Lawal’s defense lawyer, Nii Martey Korley, argued that his client had a fixed place of residence in Accra New Town and had fully cooperated with police investigations.
He pleaded with the court to grant bail, emphasizing that Lawal was not a flight risk.
However, the prosecution strongly opposed the request, stating that the accused was caught on camera committing the crime and that granting him bail could interfere with ongoing investigations.
The judge, considering the severity of the case and potential security concerns, denied the bail application and remanded Lawal into police custody.
This case has sparked concerns over security lapses at the Bank of Ghana, raising questions about how such a large-scale theft could occur within a high-security institution. Investigators are now working to determine whether Lawal acted alone or if he had accomplices.
The case has been adjourned to a later date, as the court prepares to hear further arguments and review evidence. Meanwhile, authorities are tightening security measures at the Bank of Ghana to prevent similar incidents.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
