Painter accused of GHC1M cable theft at BoG site denied bail

An Accra Circuit Court has rejected a bail request for Ahmed Mohammed Lawal, a painter accused of stealing copper cables worth GHC1,035,500 from the Bank of Ghana construction site at Ridge, Accra.

Lawal, who faces charges of unlawful entry and theft, pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Nii Martey Korley, argued for bail, stating that Lawal had a fixed residence in Accra Newtown, was employed, and had cooperated with investigations. 

The defense further assured the court that credible sureties were available to ensure his compliance with trial proceedings.

Despite the defense's plea, the court, presided over by relieving judge Mr. Isaac Addo, denied the application, ruling that Lawal remain in custody.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Augustin Kingsley Oppong, leading the prosecution, did not oppose bail but noted that investigations were still ongoing. He informed the court that Lawal had refunded GHC2,000; however, the stolen cables had not been recovered.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on February 16, 2025, when safety officer Samuel Nii Tettey and electrical engineer Davidson Mensah Otinkorang discovered that copper cables stored at the site's Energy Farm had been stolen. A review of the CCTV footage showed Lawal and two accomplices, who are still at large, cutting and removing the cables using a scaffold.

Lawal was apprehended by site officials and handed over to the police. Investigations revealed that he had sold the stolen cables at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, receiving GHC2,000 as his share. However, he was unable to assist authorities in locating his accomplices or the buyer.

The case has been adjourned to April 2, 2025, for further proceedings.