Accra, Feb. 20, – A Circuit Court at the Police Headquarters has ordered the remand of a 33-year-old trader, Latifa Salifu, over the alleged abduction of a four-day-old baby from Mamprobi Hospital.
The court declined to take her plea after the prosecution informed it that investigations were still ongoing. She has been provisionally charged with child stealing and is scheduled to reappear on March 4, 2026.
Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, presenting the facts, told the court that the circumstances surrounding the offence suggested the possible involvement of additional accomplices, raising suspicion of a wider network.
Prosecution opposed a bail application filed by defence counsel, Dr Hamisu Muhammed, arguing that investigators required the accused in custody to assist with further enquiries. The court was told that investigations would likely be concluded before the next hearing, at which point bail could be reconsidered.
The defence maintained that the accused had cooperated with police, had a permanent residence in Accra, and strong family ties, including a husband and two young children. Counsel also argued that she had no prior criminal record and was not a flight risk.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on February 17, 2026. The complainant, Madam Abigail Gudjinu, Unit Head of the Theatre Recovery Ward at Mamprobi Hospital, reported that the baby’s mother, 29-year-old Precious Ankomah, had delivered a baby boy through caesarean section on February 14.
The newborn was later diagnosed with jaundice and was due to be referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for further medical care.
At about 0400 hours on February 17, a woman dressed in a peach-coloured scrub uniform, allegedly posing as a nurse, visited the mother and observed the baby before leaving. Two hours later, the same woman reportedly returned under the guise of administering medication and left the ward with the infant.
Approximately ten minutes later, a nurse on duty enquired about the baby’s whereabouts, prompting a search within the hospital premises, but the suspect could not be located. The matter was subsequently reported to the Mamprobi Police.
The following day, at about 0340 hours, police at Dansoman received information that the suspect had been seen with a baby at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. A patrol team moved to the location, arrested the accused and retrieved the child.
In her caution statement to police, the accused reportedly admitted taking the baby under the pretext of administering medication and leaving the facility with him.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
GHBUSS
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