31-year-old Banker on trial for allegedly stealing over GHghs160,000 from Access Bank
5th September 2025
A 31-year-old banker, Lawrence Avorsey, is standing trial at the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly siphoning more than GH¢160,000 from Access Bank Ghana Ltd. through fraudulent transaction reversals.
Avorsey, stationed at the bank’s Spintex branch, is accused of diverting funds into the accounts of three alleged accomplices between May 2023 and November 2024.
The accomplices — Rita Kaledzi, Abigail Adjei Dzanie, and Richard Mawuli Torsu — are currently on the run.
According to prosecutors, the scheme channeled:
- GH¢75,631.55 into Kaledzi’s account,
- GH¢72,184.14 into Torsu’s account, and
- GH¢16,636.45 into Dzanie’s account.
The fraud came to light in December 2024, when the bank detected anomalies in Avorsey’s General Ledger reconciliations. An internal probe was launched, but Avorsey reportedly went on medical leave and attempted to resign — a move the bank rejected.
By December 18, 2024, Access Bank had confirmed the missing funds. Avorsey subsequently stopped reporting to work, but was later arrested and arraigned on February 17, 2025. He has since pleaded not guilty.
The court granted him bail of GH¢150,000 with two sureties, one to be justified. He has also been ordered to deposit his passport and report to investigators every other Tuesday.
The case, presided over by the Accra Circuit Court, has been adjourned to October 14, 2025. Meanwhile, the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Ofori-Appiah, says efforts are underway to track down the three alleged accomplices, who are facing charges of abetment of crime.
If convicted, Avorsey could face a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act (Act 29) for stealing and fraudulent breach of trust — in addition to paying restitution of the siphoned funds.