A Relationship Manager at a private bank, Christopher Arthur, has been arraigned before the Circuit Court for allegedly stealing GH¢12 million belonging to a businessman whose accounts he managed.
Arthur is further alleged to have spent GH¢600,000 of the stolen funds on SportyBet. He is also accused of forging bank statements to conceal the transactions. He later admitted to the offence and made partial refunds.
Some assets, including vehicles and cash believed to be proceeds of the crime, have been retrieved. Investigations further revealed that part of the stolen funds was used for sports betting, while efforts are underway to apprehend his accomplices.
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, he pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing and was granted bail in the sum of GH¢12 million with four sureties of substantial means. Three of the four sureties are required to be justified.
The bail was granted after his lawyers, led by Samuel Laryea, prayed the court for bail. The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jonas Larwer, did not oppose the application.
The court has directed the prosecution to file disclosures ahead of the next adjourned date. The case has been adjourned to May 26, 2026, for a Case Management Conference.
Brief Facts
According to the brief facts presented to the court by Chief Inspector Larwer, the complainant is a businessman, while the accused, Christopher Arthur, is a relationship manager at a bank’s Haatso branch.
In 2023, the complainant opened accounts at the said branch with three account numbers: 3225001012288, 3225001014107, and 3225001029512. These accounts were assigned to the accused for management under his company, C T and C Limited.
In January 2026, the complainant detected anomalies in the accounts and promptly contacted the accused, who was responsible for managing them.
The complainant later discovered that GH¢12,000,000 had been misappropriated from the accounts and strongly suspected the accused.
On March 8, 2026, the accused, in an attempt to mislead the complainant, generated a forged internal bank statement. However, the document was later discovered to be falsified.
The prosecution stated that the accused, upon sensing suspicion, confided in the complainant and refunded GH¢94,000 in cash. On March 12, 2026, he further refunded an additional GH¢1,195,900.
Police Report and Arrest
According to the prosecution, on March 25, 2026, the complainant reported the matter to the Baatsonaa Police Station, leading to the arrest of the accused to assist with investigations.
During interrogation, the accused admitted to the offence and stated that the scheme began in April 2025, with the assistance of one Gyamfua Obaayaa and Abigail Thelma, both based in Kumasi.
He further stated that through UBA account number 01638808901552 and Stanbic Bank account number 9040001246182, sums of GH¢153,000 and GH¢693,598.06 were siphoned from the complainant’s account.
Investigations revealed that a Toyota Corolla (GR 224-19), a Hyundai Elantra (GC 9242-20), and an Apple laptop, believed to be proceeds of the crime, were retrieved and retained for evidential purposes. Additionally, GH¢481,800 in cash was recovered from the accused.
Further findings showed that Access Bank account number 1032000002023 (Airport branch) and Zenith Bank account number 410204356 (Ho branch), both in the name of Adafia Caeser Shadrack, were used to withdraw GH¢7,500,000 from the complainant’s account.
The investigation also revealed that the accused spent GH¢600,000 of the stolen funds on SportyBet.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to obtain court orders to retrieve further account details and arrest accomplices to assist in investigations.
The case is still under investigation.
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