A painter working on the Bank of Ghana’s new headquarters at Ridge, Accra, has been remanded into police custody for allegedly stealing copper cables worth GH¢1,035,500. The suspect, Ahmed Mohammed Lawal, was implicated after CCTV footage reportedly captured him and two unidentified accomplices stealing from the construction site.
Lawal was arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful entry and stealing. Presiding over the case, Mrs. Sedinam Awo Kwadam adjourned proceedings to March 19, 2025. The court ordered Lawal to remain in custody as investigations continue.
Details of the Case
The prosecuting officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Augustin Kingsley Oppong, revealed that the complainants, Samuel Nii Tettey, a safety officer, and Davidson Mensah Otinkorang, an electrical engineer, are both part of the team managing the construction of the new Bank of Ghana building.
On February 16, 2025, the complainants discovered that the site’s Energy Farm had been broken into and large quantities of electrical cables stolen. Among the stolen items were LC x 240 square copper cables and LC x 300 square copper cables, all stored in bundles. A review of CCTV footage identified Lawal and his accomplices in the act.
Method of Operation
Investigations established that Lawal and the two accomplices accessed the site using scaffolding. Armed with a sharp cutting tool, they severed the copper cables and transported them offsite. It was further uncovered that the stolen cables were sold at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, a bustling hub in Accra known for trading electrical goods.
Lawal reportedly received a share of GH¢2,000 from the sale but failed to cooperate with investigators in identifying his accomplices or the buyer of the stolen items. The prosecution stated that efforts to apprehend the other suspects are ongoing.
Security Concerns
The theft raises concerns about the security measures at high-profile construction sites in Ghana. The Bank of Ghana building project, considered a critical infrastructure investment, has now come under scrutiny for lapses that allowed the theft of materials valued at over GH¢1 million.
The court and the public eagerly await the next hearing as authorities intensify efforts to recover the stolen items and apprehend the remaining suspects.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
