A former contract staff of Absa Bank Ghana, Emmanuel Sakyi Afriyie, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing over GH¢1.2 million from bank customers through fraudulent electronic transactions.
The Accra High Court convicted Afriyie on multiple charges, including fraudulent electronic fund transfers, stealing, unauthorized interference with electronic records, and money laundering.
The 25-year-old’s scheme involved manipulating customer Visa cards to siphon funds. However, his attempt to escape justice was thwarted when security officials arrested him at Kotoka International Airport on June 4, 2023, as he prepared to flee to Dubai with his girlfriend.
Despite denying the charges, Afriyie was found guilty after a full trial. Presiding judge Justice Ruby Aryeetey sentenced him to five years for fraudulent electronic fund transfers, 10 years for stealing, and five years each for unauthorized interference with electronic records and money laundering.
The sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 10 years with hard labour.
Meanwhile, his co-accused, Cecil Nyamesem Agyarkwa, was acquitted and discharged due to lack of evidence linking him to the crime.
