A National Service person attached to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has been arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing GH¢308,300 through unauthorised Mobile Money transactions.
The accused, Ebenezer Ghartey, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing when he appeared before the court.
According to Inspector Frank Morgan Dorvi, who led the prosecution, Ghartey allegedly transferred the money from an MTN merchant account belonging to a DVLA Administrative Officer to his personal Mobile Money account while serving under the officer during his national service.
The court, presided over by Mrs. Emmanuella Sarah Asmah, granted the accused bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties, all of whom must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
As part of the bail conditions, one surety must justify the bail with landed property valued at not less than GH¢100,000, while another must be a public servant earning at least GH¢5,000 monthly.
The court also directed Ghartey to report to the case investigator every Monday and Friday until further notice. The case has been adjourned to August 4, 2026.
The prosecution told the court that the complainant discovered an unauthorised withdrawal of GH¢3,000 from her MTN merchant account on May 22, 2026, after checking her account balance.
Subsequent transaction records obtained from MTN allegedly identified Ghartey as the recipient of the transfer.
Investigators later reviewed transactions between March 31 and May 20, 2026, and allegedly found that a total of GH¢308,300 had been transferred from the complainant’s merchant account into Ghartey’s Mobile Money account.
Following a police investigation, Ghartey was arrested.
According to the prosecution, the accused admitted during investigations that he was not receiving a salary and allegedly used part of the money to pay his rent.
He is also accused of purchasing a Hyundai Elantra saloon car, a Samsung 50-inch television, furniture, an air conditioner, a floor carpet, a dining table and chairs, a washing machine, and a television stand using the funds.
The prosecution further alleged that he used part of the money to pay his sibling’s school fees.
The court heard that Ghartey admitted to the offence in his caution statement to the police. However, he has pleaded not guilty before the court, and the matter remains before the judiciary.
