Felix Kwame Akakpo, a 21-year-old unemployed man, was fined GH 1,800 by an Accra Circuit Court for spending GH 17,812 that had been incorrectly credited to his account.
The defendant will automatically serve a 20-day jail sentence.
Akakpo, who was accused of stealing, admitted guilt to the accusation and was found guilty based on his own admission. He testified before the court that his family was prepared to help him pay back the money to the bank.
He acknowledged that what he did was wrong and said that everyone he used the money to help had deserted him.
The court stated that in determining the punishment, it took into account the accused's admission of the crime, his willingness to return the money, and the fact that he was a first-time offender. The court additionally ordered him to pay the complainant's money back. The complainant, whose name has been concealed, is a banker who works in Accra for UBA Bank Ghana Limited but resides in Spintex. The prosecution testified before the court presided over by Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, led by Police Inspector Clemence Takyi, that on April 26, this year, the complainant unintentionally transferred GH 17,812 to Akakpo's Fidelity bank account number 2100406642414 while on duty. After discovering the error a few days later, the complainant attempted to cancel the transfer, but was told that Akakpo had already withdrawn the funds, according to Inspector Takyi. The prosecution claimed that after being reached by phone to request a refund, Akakpo declined, saying the money was a gift from God. Police were then notified of the incident, and he was taken into custody. According to the prosecution, Akakpo acknowledged to the crime during the investigation.
