The Television Programmer of the ZTV has been put before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly dishonestly appropriating GHC120,000.00 belonging to Nii Tetteh Opremere II, his employer.

Irene Akoto Ofori has been granted a GHC120,000.00 bail with four sureties.

She denied the charge and she is to make her next appearance on July 30. Police Chief Inspector Emmanuel Haligah told the Court presided over by Mrs. Jane Harriet Akweley Quaye that Nii Opremere II, Chief of Shiashie is the prosecution witness and the owner of Zion Television popularly known as ZTV. He is a resident of La Tse Addo whereas Irene lives at Ogbodzo, all suburbs of Accra.

The prosecution said in October 2016, Nii Opremere II engaged the accused, who claimed to be an expert in TV Programming to assist in uplifting the image of the station and later became the head of the station.

He explained that since ZTV has been transmitting on satellite and the owner wanted it to go digital as well as expand its audience base, he decided to acquire a digital license.

Nii Opremere II discussed his intension with the former station’s General Manager (Mr Badu Andoh), Head of Production (Mr Eugene Kpakpo Addo) and one Basile Awagbe, all witnesses in the case.

Chief Inspector Haligah explained that they met one Reverend Dr Biney, an engineer who promised to help acquire the digital license at GHC180,000.00. Accused on her assumption of office was also informed about the development and she claimed knowing the said engineer, saying he was the right person for the job if only the money was given him.

He said the owner of ZTV organised GHC180,000.00 and gave it to Irene to be given to Rev Biney to enable him carry out the job but she failed to do so and deposited the money into her account.

In January this year, the Chief not seeing any improvement questioned the accused about the delay and she told him government had put an embargo on the issuance of the license.

He then asked for the receipt or slip covering the payment of the money into Rev Biney’s bank account but Irene was not able to produce it thus, the Chief became suspicious and reported the case to the police which led to her arrest.

The Prosecution said Irene initially insisted paying the money into the bank account of Rev Biney but later said she distributed $28,000, $9,000 and $4,500 to Rev Biney, Kpakpo and Awagbe, respectively but they had all denied this.

Further investigation revealed that the accused paid $15,000 equivalent to GH?60,000 to Rev Biney which was used to prepare a comprehensive document for the TV station whilst she kept the GH?120,000.00. She was later processed and put before the Court.