A labourer of the Alu Metal Works who allegedly forged the signature of his employer to cash a total of 4.9 million cedis from the bank was on Tuesday reminded in custody by the Tema Circuit Tribunal.

Daniel Okoh, who was charged with forging and stealing, pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on February 26.

ASP Mike Yirenkyi told the tribunal that on January 25, 2001, Okoh sneaked into the office of Mr Robert Kofi Ghansah, Managing Director of Rasha Alu Metal Works, and stole four leaflets from his Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) cheque book and used the company\'s stamp on them.

He said on January 26, Okoh filled one of the cheques, forged Mr Ghansah\'s signature and managed to cash 800,000 cedis from his account at the GCB Industrial Area branch.

On January 29, the accused withdrew 600,000 cedis and on February 1, again took 3.5 million cedis from the bank.

ASP Yirenkyi said Okoh opened an account with the International Commercial Bank, with some of the stolen money and kept 2,190,000 cedis in it.

He said on February 2, Okoh gave another cheque of 500,000 cedis to Kofi Pepe to cash for him but he was arrested by the bank\'s security.

Pepe then led the police to arrest Okoh.

An amount of 2,490,000 cedis has so far been recovered from the accused.