In a case that has sparked widespread attention, a 33-year-old trader, Latifa Salifu, has been remanded into police custody by the Gender-Based Violence Court (GBVC) at the Police Headquarters. Salifu faces allegations of child stealing, an offence that has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of vulnerable individuals in public institutions.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, informed the court that Salifu is suspected to be part of a larger criminal syndicate involved in baby theft. The prosecution argued that the accused could not have acted alone in the alleged crime. Facing a single charge of child stealing, Salifu’s plea was not taken during her initial court appearance. She has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to reappear in court on March 4, 2026, as investigations are still ongoing.
The Incident
The case revolves around a distressing incident that occurred at the Mamprobi Hospital. According to the prosecutor’s account, on February 14, 2026, a 29-year-old woman named Precious Ankomah gave birth to a baby boy via caesarean section at the facility. Shortly after birth, the baby was diagnosed with jaundice, prompting medical staff to consider transferring him to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for specialized care.
The situation took a shocking turn on February 17, 2026. At approximately 4:00 a.m., while Ms. Ankomah was resting in the recovery ward, a woman dressed in peach-coloured scrub attire reportedly posed as a nurse and approached her bed. The woman examined both mother and child before leaving. Later that morning, at around 6:00 a.m., the same individual allegedly returned under the guise of administering medication to the baby. Approximately ten minutes after she left with the child, a nurse on duty inquired about the baby’s whereabouts. It was then that Ms. Ankomah realized her baby had been taken.
Hospital staff immediately launched a search for the missing child but were unable to locate either the baby or the suspect. The incident was promptly reported to the Mamprobi Police.
Arrest and Recovery of the Baby
The breakthrough in the case came on February 18, 2026, when a whistleblower informed the Dansoman Police that Salifu had been spotted with a baby matching the description of the missing child at Korle Bu. Acting on this tip-off, a police patrol team apprehended Salifu and successfully recovered the baby.
During interrogation, Salifu reportedly admitted in her cautioned statement to taking the baby under false pretences and fleeing with him. Chief Inspector Aniagyei stated that investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional individuals were involved in orchestrating the crime.
Court Proceedings
During the court hearing, the prosecution strongly opposed granting bail to Salifu. Chief Inspector Aniagyei argued that the nature of the offence suggested coordination among multiple individuals and emphasized that granting bail could jeopardize ongoing investigations.
Defence counsel Hamisu Muhammad, however, pleaded with the court to release his client on bail. He argued that Salifu is not a flight risk, highlighting her role as a mother of two boys aged seven and ten and her lack of any prior criminal record. Muhammad further assured the court that Salifu would not interfere with investigations or abscond, emphasizing her constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Despite these arguments, the court ruled in favor of remanding Salifu into custody, citing the need for further investigation into the matter.
A Broader Concern
This case sheds light on broader concerns regarding security measures in medical facilities and the safety of vulnerable individuals such as newborns and their mothers. The incident has prompted calls for stricter security protocols in hospitals to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
As investigations continue, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in safeguarding those who are most at risk. The legal proceedings will undoubtedly remain under close public scrutiny as justice is sought for this troubling incident.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
