Winneba (C/R), Oct. 12, GNA - A Winneba district magistrate's court, presided over by Mr. Ali Baba Abature, has granted bail to three officials of Union Bank at Senya Beraku and a student of the University of Education, Winneba, who allegedly stole GH¢710,000 belonging to the Bank.

Emmanuel Nketia, 29; Effah Kwabina Bismarck, 27 and Samuel Botchway, 27, all former employee of the Senya Beraku branch of Union Bank, and 33 year-old Courage Gakpetor, the student, were each granted bail of GH¢3,000 with one surety. Their pleas were not taken. The court has adjourned hearing to enable the case to be transferred to a higher court because of the gravity of the alleged offence.

The court ordered the suspects to report to the police twice daily until a new court takes over the case. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Paul Adamah, told the court that between January and August this year, a former manager of the Bank, William Amonoo, now at large, connived with the three officials and transferred the amount into the account of Gakpetor, a customer of the bank.

He said sometime in March, Amonoo vacated his post and an audit of the Bank's accounts by the new manager revealed the deal. The prosecution said it was revealed that Gakpetor made several withdrawals from the Bank without making savings. Chief Inspector Adamah said the police were also looking Amonoo. 12 Oct. 08