Court Grants GH¢200,000 Bail to Woman Accused of Baby Theft at Mamprobi Polyclinic

The DOVVSU Circuit Court has granted bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 to 33-year-old trader, Latifa Salifu, who is facing a charge of child stealing.

The court admitted her to bail with two sureties, one of whom must justify with landed property valued at GH¢150,000. The sureties are also required to deposit their Ghana Cards at the Court Registry, while the accused must surrender all travel documents. Additionally, she is to report to the case investigator every Monday and Thursday at 1:00 p.m. until the court directs otherwise.

Latifa Salifu pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei informed the court that investigations have been completed and an amended charge sheet has replaced the earlier provisional one. The court subsequently struck out the old charge and took the plea of the accused based on the amended charge.

Defence counsel, Dr. Hamisu Muhammad, prayed the court to grant bail, stating that his client had cooperated with police since her arrest on February 17, 2026. He argued that she has a permanent residence, is engaged in legitimate business as a clothes trader, and is not likely to abscond.

The prosecution did not oppose the bail request but urged the court to impose strict conditions, including property justification, to guarantee her availability for trial.

Background

According to the prosecution, the complainant, Precious Ankomah, a 29-year-old trader, gave birth via caesarean section at Mamprobi Polyclinic on February 14, 2026, and was admitted to the recovery ward with her baby.

Two days later, medical tests reportedly indicated that the baby had jaundice and needed referral to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for further treatment.

Although the mother had been discharged, she remained at the facility due to unpaid medical bills and was moved to an upstairs recovery room.

Prosecutors allege that on February 17 at about 4:00 a.m., the accused, dressed in peach-coloured nurses’ scrubs, approached the complainant’s bed, observed her and the baby, and left. Around 7:00 a.m., she allegedly returned and took the baby, claiming she was administering medication, but did not return.

The disappearance was discovered during the morning shift handover, prompting a search within the hospital, which proved unsuccessful. A formal report was later made to the police.

The prosecution further stated that the accused was later apprehended after she reportedly contacted a whistleblower, claiming she had delivered at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital but was discharged due to a lack of beds. She was subsequently re-arrested and detained for further investigations.

Police say that although she initially denied the allegation in her cautioned statement, she later admitted to the offence during investigations.

The case has been adjourned to April 8, 2026, for further hearing.