Accounts officer in court for stealing

An accounts officer of Sunda Ghana Investment Limited, operators of House Mart Show Room, accused of stealing GH?191,488.87 between January and June 2014 belonging to her employers, has been put before a circuit court in Accra.

Elsie Abbey, charged with stealing, pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Charles Chester said Elise was alleged to have bought two vehicles, plot of land, set of furniture and other household items with the money.

The police said GH?10,900.00 was retrieved from Elsie when she was searched.

The court, presided over by Ms Ellen Vivian Amoah, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of GH?300,000.00 with three sureties, one to be justified.

The court ordered that one of the sureties should not include the accused person’s mother.

It further ordered Elsie to be reporting to the Greater Accra Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID) every Monday and Friday.

She is to reappear on September 3.

Mr Lamtiig Apanga, defence counsel, prayed the court to admit Elsie to bail as she would not abscond.

Prosecution said the complainant was the Accounts Manager of Sunda Ghana Investment Limited, a company dealing in household items, hardware, furniture and building materials.

According to the Prosecutor, the accused person was in charge of House Mart Show Room, a subsidiary of the company at Spintex Road, Accra.

On June 4, this year, the complainant had information that Elsie had absented herself from duty without any notice while monies realised as sale of goods at the Show Room was not lodged in the company’s account.

The prosecution said the complainant tried reaching the accused person on her cell phone but to no avail.

On June 14, this year, the complainant traced the accused person at her house and escorted Elise to the office. When Elsie was asked to open her safe to render accounts, no money was found in it.

Prosecution said when accused person was quizzed about the whereabouts of the money, she could not give any tangible answer.

A report was made to the police and Elsie was arrested.

When Elsie was cautioned by the police she admitted stealing about GH?80,000.00 and used part of the money to purchase a Nissan March at the cost of GH?10,000.00 and KIA Rio at the cost GH?15,000.00 and other household items.

Accused person, according to prosecution, said she also purchased a plot of land at the cost of GH?6,500.00 and a set of furniture.

Prosecution said an audit conducted by VT Consult indicated that Elsie stole GH?191,488. 87.

Chief Inspector Chester said the police had retrieved two vehicles and cash of GH?10,900 cedis from Elsie.