Press Centre cleaner connected with theft

Accra, July 30, GNA - A 34-year-old cleaner at the Press Centre, who was arrested in connection with the theft of items from the safe of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra was on Monday remanded into police custody by the La Magistrate's court. Simons Nkeisiba Zaato, whose plea was not taken, will reappear on August 6.

Counsel for the suspect, Miss Abena Owusu prayed the court to grant the suspect bail but the court turned down the application. The prosecution said the suspect was the last person to leave the Press Centre on the night of the theft on July 13.

According to prosecution, when the Treasurer of the GJA, Mrs. Yaa Oforiwa Asare-Peasah came to the Press Centre at about 1030 hours the next day she found the key to the safe in the keyhole.

She was terrified because she could not remember when she left the keys of the safe in the keyhole since it had never happened before. The prosecution said she opened the safe only to find that every item in it had been turned upside down with some unspecified amounts of money in different currencies stolen.

In addition, the gold chain, which served as the Staff of Office, was also stolen.

The case was therefore reported to the police and the suspect was arrested.

The prosecution prayed the court to give it time to finish with its investigations.