DVLA Personnel Ebenezer Ghartey Charged Over GH¢308,300 Mobile Money Fraud

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has clarified that a significant financial crime involving a former National Service Person was a private matter, emphasizing that public funds were not compromised in the alleged GH¢308,300 theft. Ebenezer Ghartey, who was attached to the Authority, is facing charges for allegedly siphoning the substantial sum through a series of unauthorized Mobile Money (MoMo) transactions. While initial reports linked the theft to the organization, the DVLA has formally stated that the incident stems from a personal dispute and involves funds belonging to an individual colleague rather than the Authority's official revenue. This clarification aims to maintain public trust in the Authority's financial integrity. According to the prosecution's case, Ghartey orchestrated the fraud by accessing a colleague’s merchant MoMo account without permission and transferring funds to his personal account over a period of time. The illicitly obtained money, totaling over three hundred thousand cedis, was reportedly used to fund a variety of personal lifestyle upgrades. Investigators traced the expenditures to the payment of rent and the purchase of a vehicle and furniture. The discrepancy was only discovered after suspicious withdrawal patterns were flagged on the merchant account, leading to a formal police report and Ghartey’s subsequent apprehension by authorities. During his appearance in court, Ghartey pleaded not guilty to the charges, despite earlier reports suggesting he had admitted to the actions in his initial statement to the police. The presiding judge granted him bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 as the case moves toward a full trial. This situation highlights the growing concerns regarding internal security and the potential for digital fraud within professional environments. The DVLA’s proactive statement serves to reassure the public that its internal financial systems remain secure and that this breach was limited to a private criminal matter between two individuals. The legal proceedings are scheduled to continue as the prosecution prepares to present further evidence regarding the unauthorized transfers and the recovery of assets. The court has set the next hearing for August 4, 2026. This case is being closely monitored as it underscores the importance of vigilance in managing merchant Mobile Money accounts and the legal consequences of digital financial crimes in Ghana. The final verdict will likely provide a benchmark for how such internal thefts are adjudicated in the future.