Bank manager in court for theft

Asamankese, Sept. 4, GNA - Eric Addo, a former manager of the Pramkese Agency of the Kwaebibirem Rural Bank, has appeared before the Asamankese Circuit Court charged with stealing 48,613 Ghana cedis belonging to the bank.

His plea was not taken and was remanded in prison custody to re-appear on September 8.


Inspector F. A. Cobbina, prosecuting, told the court that between January 12, 2005 and September 21, 2006, Addo was in charge of the Kwaebibirem Rural Bank's Agency at Pramkese. He said on July 21, 2008, investigations conducted at the bank by the Internal Auditor and the General Manager of the bank revealed that Addo, during the term he served as manager of the bank, fictitiously created loans for himself in the names of ghost customers. The prosecution said Addo used the names of Faustina Asare with Account Number 60163 to secure a loan of 1500 Ghana cedis and Kwaku Nti with Account Number 60100 for 1600 Ghana cedis.

It was further revealed that Addo withdrew monies from some customers' accounts, which amounted to 1,620 Ghana cedis. Prosecution said Addo made false withdrawals and deposits from one Kwasi Osei's Account, which in the end showed a debt figure of 6,126 Ghana cedis. Addo was also found to have made irregular bank deposits and withdrawals from the Savings Ledger. Inspector Cobbina said in June 2006, Addo made a debit transaction and transferred to the Head office, Asuom, which amounted to 3,000 Ghana cedis which was found to be fictitious. He said Addo again was found to have made false fixed deposit transactions amounting to 5,050 Ghana cedis. On June 2, 2005 he again made a fictitious transaction to head office in the name of Kwakye with account number 25 with an amount of 1,000 Ghana Cedis, which never reached the bank at Asuom. Prosecution said Addo also used the bank's debit voucher to withdraw 6,430 Ghana cedis and after auditing, it was revealed that Addo altogether stole a sum of 48,613 Ghana cedis from the bank and a report was made to the police leading to his arrest.