Tuesday, 07 July

DVLA denies losing GH¢308,300 in alleged mobile money theft case

News
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has dismissed reports suggesting it lost GH¢308,300 in an alleged mobile money theft involving a former National Service person, insisting the money in question was neither owned by the Authority nor taken from its accounts.

The clarification follows the prosecution of Ebenezer Ghartey, a former National Service person who was later engaged by the DVLA on a contract basis. He is standing trial before the Accra Circuit Court over allegations that he unlawfully transferred GH¢308,300 from the MTN merchant account of a DVLA administrative officer into his personal mobile money wallet.

Ghartey has pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing. According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly used part of the money to purchase a Hyundai Elantra saloon car, a 50-inch Samsung television and finance other personal expenditures.

The court, presided over by Mrs. Emmanuella Sarah Asmah, admitted him to bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties. One surety must provide landed property within the court’s jurisdiction valued at no less than the bail amount, while another must be a public servant earning at least GH¢5,000 a month.

The court also directed the accused to report to the case investigator every Monday and Friday pending the determination of the case, which has been adjourned to August 4, 2026.

Responding to public reports on the matter, the DVLA stressed that the alleged theft was a private matter involving individuals and had no connection to the Authority’s finances or official activities.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 7, the Authority emphasised that the GH¢308,300 did not belong to the DVLA and was not withdrawn from any of its accounts.

The DVLA further assured the public that its financial management systems remain intact and its operations have not been affected by the case.

The Authority also appealed to media organisations and the public to report the matter accurately to avoid creating the false impression that public funds under its control had been misappropriated.

It added that it remains committed to transparency and will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies should its assistance be required during ongoing investigations.

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