By Ashiadey Dotse
A National Service Scheme (NSS) personnel has appeared before the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing GH¢308,300 from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) through unauthorised Mobile Money transactions and using part of the funds to purchase a car, television and other household items.
Ebenezer Ghartey pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing when he appeared before the court.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Frank Morgan Dorvi, told the court that Ghartey allegedly transferred the money from the MTN merchant account of a DVLA Administrative Officer to his personal Mobile Money account without authorisation.
The court, presided over by Mrs Emmanuella Sarah Asmah, granted the accused bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties.
One of the sureties is required to justify the bail with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction valued at not less than the bail amount, while another must be a public servant earning at least GH¢5,000 per month.
The court also ordered Ghartey to report to the case investigator every Monday and Friday until further notice. The case has been adjourned to August 4, 2026.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, a DVLA Administrative Officer, discovered an unauthorised withdrawal of GH¢3,000 from her MTN merchant account on May 22, 2026.
Further investigations revealed that between March 31 and May 20, 2026, a total of GH¢308,300 had allegedly been transferred from the complainant’s merchant account to Ghartey’s Mobile Money account.
The matter was reported to the Cantonments Police, leading to the arrest of the accused.
The prosecution told the court that during investigations, Ghartey admitted that he was not receiving a salary while undertaking his National Service and allegedly used part of the money to pay his rent.
He is also alleged to have used the funds to purchase a Hyundai Elantra saloon car, a Samsung 50-inch television, furniture, an air conditioner, a washing machine, a dining set, a floor carpet and a television rack.
The prosecution further said Ghartey used some of the money to pay his sibling’s school fees and admitted the offence in his caution statement.
The case has been adjourned to August 4, 2026, for further hearing.
