Ohemaa Serwaa Owusu Ansah: Accused of Stealing GH¢1.5M From Obinim

• A 23-year-old student, Ohemaa Serwaa Abigail Owusu Ansah, has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit crime and stealing.
• She is accused of stealing GH¢1.5 million from Bishop Daniel Obinim, founder of the International Godsway Church, on October 14, 2026.
• The Adenta Circuit Court granted her bail at GH¢1 million with two sureties, one justified by landed property.
• The prosecution alleges Ms. Owusu Ansah admitted in her caution statement to inviting two men to break into the safe and take the money.
• Investigations into the alleged theft are currently ongoing.

The Adenta Circuit Court had granted her bail at GH¢1 million, requiring two sureties, one of whom needed to justify their standing with landed property.

A 23-year-old student, Ohemaa Serwaa Abigail Owusu Ansah, is currently facing charges related to the alleged theft of a significant sum of money from Bishop Daniel Obinim, the founder of the International Godsway Church. The prosecution asserts that Ms. Owusu Ansah, who was reportedly a friend of the Bishop, visited his residence in Lakeside on October 13, 2026.

According to the prosecution's account, Bishop Obinim left his home for church, leaving Ms. Owusu Ansah alone at the property. The following morning, at approximately 7:00 AM on October 14, 2026, the Bishop discovered that his safe had been broken into, and GH¢1.5 million was missing. When confronted about the disappearance of the funds, Ms. Owusu Ansah allegedly stated that she had contacted an individual identified as Owusu, who works for her father. Owusu then purportedly arranged for two young men to meet her at the Bishop's residence. The student is accused of leading these men into the room where the safe was located, indicating it to them, after which they forcibly opened it, took the money, and departed.

Ms. Owusu Ansah was subsequently arrested on October 16, 2026, around 2:00 PM, and transported to the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters. During her caution statement, she allegedly admitted to inviting the two men to the complainant’s residence with the specific intention of breaking into the safe and stealing the money.

Ohemaa Serwaa Abigail Owusu Ansah recently made her second appearance before an Adenta Circuit Court. During this hearing, she formally entered a plea of not guilty to the charges brought against her, which include conspiracy to commit crime, specifically stealing, and the act of stealing itself.

At an earlier court session, the Adenta Circuit Court had granted her bail. The Adenta Circuit Court had granted her bail at GH¢1 million, requiring two sureties, one of whom needed to justify their standing with landed property. While bail was secured, her plea was deferred until her most recent court appearance. Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo is leading the prosecution in this ongoing legal matter, and investigations into the alleged theft are still underway.

The legal framework surrounding the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and stealing in Ghana is robust, particularly when dealing with such a substantial sum as GH¢1.5 million. Conspiracy to commit crime involves an agreement between two or more individuals to carry out an unlawful act, irrespective of whether all parties directly execute the final offense. Stealing, in this context, refers to the unlawful appropriation of another's property with the intent to permanently deprive the rightful owner of it.

The ongoing nature of the investigation, as confirmed by the prosecution, indicates that authorities are continuing to gather and assess evidence. This process is crucial for building a comprehensive case and could potentially lead to further legal developments or additional charges. The stringent bail conditions imposed by the Adenta Circuit Court, including the requirement for a surety to justify with landed property, underscore the seriousness with which the judiciary views the alleged offense and the considerable value of the stolen funds. Ms. Owusu Ansah's not-guilty plea means the prosecution bears the burden of presenting compelling evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

This particular case, involving a student accused of stealing GH¢1.5 million from Bishop Daniel Obinim, has attracted significant public and media attention across Ghana. The sheer magnitude of the alleged theft, totaling GH¢1.5 million, positions it as a high-profile criminal matter. Furthermore, the involvement of Bishop Obinim, a prominent public figure, naturally amplifies the public's interest and scrutiny surrounding the legal proceedings.

The outcome of this trial could have broader implications, potentially influencing how similar high-value theft cases are adjudicated in the future, especially concerning the standards of evidence required for conviction and the application of bail conditions. The formal charges of conspiracy to commit crime and stealing, coupled with the ongoing investigation, highlight the rigorous legal process employed to address such serious allegations within the Ghanaian justice system.

This case provides a practical example of criminal proceedings in Ghana, specifically concerning charges of conspiracy to commit crime and stealing. Lawyers should note the bail conditions set by the Adenta Circuit Court (GH¢1 million with two sureties, one justified with landed property) as a precedent for similar high-value theft cases, and monitor the ongoing investigation for developments in evidence and prosecution strategy.

Source: Original reporting via GNA