A relationship manager at a private bank has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly siphoning GH¢12 million from a client’s accounts and spending part of the funds on online betting.
The accused, Christopher Arthur, pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing when he appeared before the court presided over by His Honour Eyram Fumey.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the court granted him bail in the sum of GH¢12 million with four sureties, three of whom must be justified. The case has been adjourned to May 26, 2026, for a Case Management Conference.
According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jonas Larwer, the complainant—a businessman—opened three accounts in 2023 for his company, C.T and C Limited, which were managed by the accused at the bank’s Haatso branch.
Investigations indicate that the alleged fraud began in April 2025 and came to light in January 2026 when the complainant detected irregularities in the accounts. A total of GH¢12 million is said to have been misappropriated.
Prosecutors further allege that when confronted, Arthur attempted to conceal the discrepancies by generating a forged internal bank statement. The document was later found to be falsified.
He is said to have admitted to the offence and made partial repayments, including GH¢94,000 in cash and an additional GH¢1,195,900 days later. The case was subsequently reported to police, leading to his arrest.
Further investigations revealed that about GH¢600,000 of the stolen funds was spent on the online betting platform SportyBet.
Police also suspect the involvement of accomplices, identified as Gyamfua Obaayaa and Abigail Thelma, believed to be based in Kumasi. Through accounts linked to them in banks including United Bank for Africa and Stanbic Bank, more than GH¢846,000 was allegedly siphoned.
Authorities say they have retrieved assets believed to be proceeds of the crime, including vehicles, an Apple laptop, and nearly GH¢500,000 in cash.
Investigators have also traced additional suspicious transactions amounting to GH¢7.5 million through accounts held at Access Bank and Zenith Bank.
Police say efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects and secure further banking records as investigations continue.
