Accra: Constance Gyasi Nimako, a trader currently facing charges of stealing and laundering money that was mistakenly credited to her bank account, has refunded GHS230,000. Constance, who is also known as Maa Adwoa, was not present in court but remains in custody. Her mother, Cecilia Gyasi, appeared before Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, the relieving judge, where Constance's lawyer informed the court of the partial refund.
According to Ghana News Agency, the judge declined to grant bail, citing plans for an expeditious trial, and directed the prosecution to file disclosures. The case has been adjourned to July 23, 2025. Constance is alleged to have spent GHS770,500 out of the GHS800,000 that was erroneously transferred to her Ecobank account. She reportedly moved GHS300,000 to her mother's Fidelity Bank account, GHS400,000 to her GCB Bank account, and withdrew GHS70,500 in cash. Both Constance and her mother have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Constance faces charges of stealing and money laundering, while her mother is charged with the abetment of crime to wit money laundering.
At the previous court sitting, Presiding Judge Mrs. Susan Eduful remanded Constance due to the seriousness of the charges and concerns about her appearance in court. Meanwhile, Cecilia Gyasi was granted bail of GHS500,000 with two sureties who must be immediate family members earning at least GHS2,000 monthly.
According to the prosecution, the issue arose when the complainant, a company's Chief Executive Officer, instructed Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) to transfer GHS800,000 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, but attempts by both banks to retrieve the funds were unsuccessful, as Constance had already moved the money, leaving only GHS29,778.47.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police with assistance from CBG's Head of Security and Investigations. It is alleged that Constance refused to cooperate with law enforcement, insulted officers, and went into hiding before being arrested in Kumasi. Her mother was arrested in Accra. Investigations revealed that Constance informed her mother of the funds and instructed her to withdraw GHS300,000, which she did. During interrogation, Constance claimed the money was sent by a foreign company with which she had no prior dealings and stated that she had ordered goods with the funds. The prosecution has stated that investigations are ongoing to trace and recover the remaining amount.
