Lawyers for Chief Executive Officer of Beige Bank, Mr Michael Nyinaku, have told the Economic and Financial Crime Division of the High Court in Accra, that their client, intends to call 61, defense witnesses, to testify in the trial.
Mr. Nyinaku, has been charged at the court, presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, for allegedly stealing GH¢1.21 billion of depositors’ money from the bank. He pleaded not guilty to 43 charges of stealing, fraudulent breach of trust and money laundering.
Lawyer, for Micheal Nyinaku, Thaddues Sory, told the Court that, they have filed the list of the 61 defense witnesses and were ready to start calling them to the witness stand on the next date. The presiding judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a court of appeal judge with additional responsibility, questioned why 61 witnesses, who are likely to be sharing the same testimony.
She reminded the defense team of the rules on witnesses. Justice Asare-Botwe, then directed Mr. Nyinaku and his lawyers, to file the witness statements in the order in which they intend to call the witnesses by Friday March 8, and duly notify the court as such.
A summary of the facts read by prosecution indicates that, some of the accounts created by the former Chief Executive Officer of the collapsed Beige Bank, were fictitiously created without the knowledge of the board of directors of companies that already had accounts with the bank. Monies deposited in such accounts were later were allegedly transferred into various accounts of companies linked with the accused, Mr. Micheal Nyinaku for his personal benefit.
He has been charged with 43 counts of stealing, fraudulent breach of trust and money laundering, according to the facts, Mr Michael Nyinaku, has been charged with nine (9) counts of stealing contrary to Section 124(1) of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). He has also been charged with 25 counts of fraudulent breach of trust contrary to Section 128 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Also, the accused person, has been charged with another nine (9) counts of money laundering contrary to Section 1(2)(a)(ii) of Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044). Trial of the case, commenced on February 3, 2023. The Court, has indicated, it intends to finish taking evidence from the witness by close of July 31st, 2024, which is the close of the legal year. The case is adjourned to March, 13, 2024.
