A banker has been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly making unauthorised transactions in the bank accounts of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

A relationship officer of a bank (name withheld), Kwabena Opoku-Acheampong, is accused of dishonestly appropriating GHC177,000 from the church’s cedi account and $134,800 from its dollar account.

He pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to steal, stealing, forgery of documents, and altering forged documents.

His alleged accomplice, Prince Okyere Amoako, was absent in court.

The prosecution prayed for a bench warrant for his arrest.

The court, presided over by a Circuit Judge, admitted Opoku-Acheampong to bail in the sum of GHC900,000 with two sureties, one to be justified and the other a government employee earning not less than GHC2,000 monthly.

Opoku-Acheampong was also ordered to report to the case investigator every Thursday.

The court directed the prosecution to file witness statements ahead of the Case Management Conference and adjourned the matter to November 2.

The prosecution did not oppose the bail application but requested conditions that would ensure the accused’s attendance at future sittings.

According to the facts, the complainant is an auditor at the bank.

Opoku-Acheampong’s role included sourcing new clients, opening accounts, and managing them on behalf of the bank.

Amoako, a businessman, operated both cedi and dollar accounts with the bank.

In November 2024, the Coptic Orthodox Church reported unauthorised transactions in its accounts.

An internal investigation revealed that between August and October 2024, Opoku-Acheampong had made unauthorised transfers totalling GHC177,000 and $134,800.

Further inquiries showed that the accused falsified account and transfer forms, which he submitted to the bank to facilitate the transfer of funds from the church’s accounts to Amoako’s business accounts.

Amoako allegedly withdrew the funds, which the two used for personal purposes.

Following the discovery, the matter was reported to the police.

Investigations confirmed that Opoku-Acheampong had authorised access to the church’s accounts and diverted the funds without approval from either the church or the bank.

He has since refunded GHC177,000 and $48,000 of the misappropriated funds.