A trader, Constance Gyasi Nimako, also known as Maa Adwoa, has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing and laundering money that was mistakenly transferred into her Ecobank account.
According to court documents, Nimako spent GH¢770,500 of GH¢800,000 that was wrongly deposited into her account. She allegedly moved GH¢300,000 to her mother’s Fidelity Bank account, GH¢400,000 to her own account at GCB Bank, and withdrew GH¢70,500 in cash.
Nimako has been charged with stealing and money laundering, while her mother, Cecilia Gyasi, is facing charges for abetment of money laundering. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Presiding Judge Mrs. Susan Eduful ordered Nimako to be remanded due to the seriousness of the charges and concerns she may evade trial. However, Cecilia Gyasi was granted bail of GH¢500,000 with two sureties, who must be close relatives earning a minimum of GH¢2,000 per month.
The case has been adjourned to July 7, 2025.
The complainant, the CEO of a company (identity withheld), had instructed the Manet branch of Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) to transfer GH¢800,000 from the company’s account to his personal Ecobank account on February 4, 2025, for a business transaction. However, due to an error, the funds were sent to Nimako’s account instead.
The mistake was discovered after a delay in the transaction prompted a follow-up, and by the time CBG contacted Ecobank on February 11, most of the funds had already been moved. Only GH¢29,778.47 remained in Nimako’s account.
Attempts by both banks to recover the funds failed, as Nimako reportedly refused to cooperate. CBG’s Head of Security helped the complainant file a police report.
The prosecution revealed that Nimako insulted police officers and went into hiding before eventually being arrested in Kumasi. Her mother was arrested in Accra.
Investigations showed that Nimako informed her mother of the funds and instructed her to withdraw the GH¢300,000. Nimako later claimed the money came from a foreign company with which she had no prior dealings and that she had ordered goods using the funds.
The prosecution says investigations are still ongoing to recover the remaining amount.
