3 Arrested for stealing Covid Vaccines

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National Security has arrested three persons for their alleged involvement in the stealing and sale of COVISHIELD vaccines belonging to the Government of Ghana.

A 37-year-old Disease Control Officer of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Stephen Dzisenu, is said to have stolen 36 vials of COVIDSHIELD and a Disease Control Officer of the La Bawalashie Polyclinic, Lord Pabitey, now at large, also allegedly stole 26 vials of COVIDSHIELD.

Cosmos Allotey, a 42-year-old Occupational Health and Safety Officer, is said to have received the stolen COVIDSHIELD from Pabitey and Dzisenu.

Allotey allegedly administered the vaccines at a cost of GH¢200.00 per jab.

Joseph Knight Gaisie, a Project Assistant and a former Laboratory Technician at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital is also being held for abetment of crime.

The three – Dzisenu, Gaisie and Allotey – have been remanded into lawful custody an Accra Circuit Court to reappear on April 1.

Prosecuting, Detective Sergeant Frederick Sarpong, prayed the Court, presided over Mrs. Afia Owusuaa, not to take the pleas of the accused persons as investigations were ongoing and efforts were underway to arrest others believed to be involved in the crime.

Charges of the accused were not read out to them. However the facts of the case were read out in open court.

Detective Sergeant Sarpong said accused persons, when granted bail may not only interfere with investigations but other witnesses.

He said from the facts, other persons involved were yet to be arrested and prayed the Court to remand them.

Lawyers of the accused persons prayed for bail, saying their clients were servants of the Republic and they would not do anything to interfere with investigations.

According to the lawyers, the accused had fixed places of abode and people who would stand as sureties for them when granted bail.

The Court turned down the bail application put in defence counsel, and said it was inclined the facts the prosecution had told the Court that other accused persons were yet to be arrested and investigations ongoing.

The facts as presented the prosecution were that the complainants were National Security Operatives.

The prosecution said during the first week of March this year, the operatives received intelligence that some health officials had been stealing and selling the Covid-19 vaccines brought in the Government of Ghana.

Mr Sarpong said Dzisenu in his caution statement, mentioned Gaisie as the one who aided and facilitated the sale of the stolen CONVIDSHIELD vaccines to Allotey.