An Accra Circuit Court has remanded a 31-year-old nurse, Jones Boano, into police custody over allegations of unauthorized access and theft under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (Act 772), and the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The court, presided over by His Honour Kwabena Obiri Yeboah, denied Boano’s bail request, citing concerns raised by the prosecution about forged documentation submitted to verify his residence. Boano, who worked as a caregiver for an elderly patient, faces charges of unauthorized access or interception and stealing.
Case Background
According to Prosecutor DSP Nyamekye, the complainant, Mrs. Victoria Aschkar of Cantonments, hired Boano through a nursing agency in April 2024 to care for her 83-year-old father, Mr. Oscar Rettenmund, who resides in Abelemkpe. Boano worked at the residence for six months, during which the complainant noticed cash regularly disappearing.
After his dismissal, Mrs. Aschkar discovered that GH₵20,000 had been withdrawn without authorization from her father’s UMB Bank account. Upon questioning, Mr. Rettenmund denied knowledge of the transactions, prompting her to report the case to the Cybercrime Unit.
Police Investigation
The investigation revealed that Mr. Rettenmund’s debit card was linked to Express Pay and MyGH Pay accounts registered under Boano’s name. Over GH₵440,000 was transferred from the account to mobile money wallets linked to Boano and an associate, Vivian Omeche.
Boano was arrested on November 13, 2024. During interrogation, he confessed to accessing the debit card and linking it to accounts he had created. He admitted to using the stolen funds to rent an apartment, furnish it, and engage in gambling.
Court Proceedings
Boano’s counsel argued for bail, claiming he is a certified nurse with a fixed address. However, the prosecution countered that documents presented to support his residence were forged. The court subsequently remanded him into custody and directed the prosecution to file all disclosures.
The case has been adjourned to February 6, 2025, for further hearing.
