Woman accused of stealing four-day-old baby granted GH¢200,000 bail by DOVVSU court

The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) Circuit Court has granted 33-year-old Latifa Salifu, a trader who allegedly stole a four-day-old baby at the Mamprobi Polyclinic, bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with two sureties, one of whom must be justified with a landed property valued at not less than GH¢150,000.

The mother of two has been charged with one count of stealing but has pleaded not guilty.

During proceedings on Wednesday, March 4, the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, informed the court that the police had completed their investigations and had filed an amended charge sheet.

The prosecution therefore sought the court’s permission to substitute the old charge sheet with the amended one and for the plea of the accused to be taken.

The court subsequently struck out the old charge sheet and took the plea of Latifa Salifu. The 33-year-old trader pleaded not guilty to the charge of child stealing.

According to the facts of the case, the complainant, a 29-year-old trader living at James Town, delivered through a caesarean section at Mamprobi Polyclinic.

Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei noted that the baby was subsequently referred to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after being diagnosed with jaundice.

On February 17, 2026, while the mother was at the recovery ward, a woman dressed in a peach-coloured scrub uniform allegedly posed as a nurse, approached her bed around 4 a.m., looked at the baby and the mother, and left.

At 7 a.m., the accused allegedly returned to the mother under the pretext of administering medication to the baby and disappeared with the child.

The prosecutor added that nurses on duty searched the hospital premises but could not find the accused. The complainant subsequently lodged a report with the Mamprobi Police.

On February 18, 2026, a whistleblower informed the Dansoman Police that the accused had been seen with the baby at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

“With the help of the Dansoman Police patrol team, the accused was arrested and brought to the police station together with the baby.

“The accused, in her police investigation caution statement, admitted the offence and stated that she went to pick up the baby from the victim under the pretext of administering medicine and bolted with the baby,” Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei narrated to the court.

Defence lawyers, led by Lawrence Niiquaye, prayed for bail for the accused, noting that she had been cooperative during the investigations.

The prosecution did not oppose the bail application but indicated that the terms should ensure that the accused appears before the court when required.

Presiding Judge Annette Sophia Essel granted the accused bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with two sureties, one to be justified.

Additionally, the sureties are to deposit their Ghana Cards with the court registry, while the accused has been directed to deposit all travel documents.

She is also required to report to the investigator every Monday and Thursday at 1 p.m.

The case has been adjourned to April 8.