BLOODY THIEVES ...Mum embezzles bank cash...Son breaks into bank vault (LEAD STORY)

Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Sekondi

A young man and his mother who allegedly stole GH¢24,000 belonging to the Nzema Manle Rural Bank in the Nzema East District are being sought for by the police.
The two are Mary Nkrumah, 47, a sub-accountant who worked with the bank for more than 20 years, and Emmanuel Kwamenah Ofori, 22, her son, who was employed just after he completed senior high school as a clerk grade II and was attached to the Awiabo Branch of the bank.
Mary is said to have embezzled GH¢7,000, while her son reportedly broke into the vault at his branch and made away with GH¢17,000 last Tuesday.
They are alleged to have met later at a rendezvous, after vacating their homes for unknown destinations.
Disclosing this to the press in Sekondi yesterday, the Western Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Ms Olivia Adiku, said Ofori worked as a clerk and was aware of where the keys to the vault were kept.
She said after close of work last Tuesday, Ofori went back to the bank’s premises and requested the security man on duty to allow him entry, with the explanation that he had left something very important in the banking hall.
She said the security officer, not suspecting any foul intentions, allowed Ofori entry and upon reaching the room he was said to have picked the keys to the vault, which were in the drawer of one of the officers, opened the vault and made away with GH¢17,000.
Ms Adiku said after the theft was detected the next day, Ofori was traced by some staff of the branch to his mother’s residence at Aiyinase, only to be told that the mother had also vacated her home.
She said since the unannounced departure of Mary and her son was suspicious, the bank decided to conduct an audit to ensure that she had not misappropriated any funds.
She said after hours of auditing, it was revealed that so far Mary had embezzled GH¢7,000 and was no where to be found to account for the money.
She said both mother and son were believed to be hiding in Accra, Takoradi or Elubo or they might be attempting to cross to neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire.