Constance Gyasi Nimako, a trader facing charges of stealing and laundering money mistakenly credited to her bank account, has refunded GH¢230,000.
Constance, also known as Maa Adwoa, was absent from court but remains in custody.
Her mother, Cecilia Gyasi, appeared before Evelyn Asamoah, the relieving judge.
Constance’s lawyer informed the court of the partial refund.
The judge declined bail, citing plans for an expeditious trial, and directed the prosecution to file disclosures.
The case was adjourned to July 23, 2025.
Constance is alleged to have spent GH¢770,500 out of GH¢800,000 erroneously transferred to her Ecobank account.
She reportedly moved GH¢300,000 to her mother’s Fidelity Bank account, GH¢400,000 to her GCB Bank account, and withdrew GH¢70,500 in cash.
She has been charged with stealing and money laundering, while her mother faces abetment of crime to wit money laundering.
Both pleaded not guilty.
At the previous sitting, Presiding Judge Mrs. Susan Eduful remanded Constance due to the seriousness of the charges and concerns about her appearance in court.
Cecilia Gyasi was granted bail of GH¢500,000 with two sureties who must be immediate family members earning at least GH¢2,000 monthly.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, a company Chief Executive Officer, instructed Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) to transfer GH¢800,000 to his personal Ecobank account.
However, the funds were mistakenly sent to Constance’s account on February 6, 2025.
The error was discovered after the complainant followed up with CBG.
Attempts by both banks to retrieve the funds failed, as Constance had moved the money, leaving only GH¢29,778.47.
The matter was reported to the police with assistance from CBG’s Head of Security and Investigations.
Constance allegedly refused to cooperate, insulted officers, and went into hiding before being arrested in Kumasi.
Her mother was arrested in Accra.
Investigations revealed Constance informed her mother of the funds and instructed her to withdraw GH¢300,000, which she did.
During interrogation, Constance claimed the money was sent by a foreign company with which she had no prior dealings and said she had ordered goods with the funds.
Prosecution stated that investigations are ongoing to trace and recover the remaining amount.