An Accra Circuit Court has cautioned that it may strike out the case involving the alleged theft of a baby from Mamprobi Hospital if the prosecution does not file its disclosures.

The court, which sat at the Police Headquarters, issued the warning after Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, who is leading the prosecution, informed it that delays in securing signatures from key witnesses had stalled the process.

The prosecution said statements had been prepared for the complainant and her husband, but they have not yet signed them.

It further indicated that doctors, nurses, and security personnel lined up as witnesses have also not appended their signatures.

According to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), a lawyer said to be representing the hospital had requested a meeting with the medical staff and security personnel before they signed their statements, contributing to a delay of about two months in filing the disclosures.

Because of this, the prosecution said it has been unable to complete and submit the required disclosures.

The court cautioned that the case could be struck out if the disclosures are not filed and adjourned the matter to June 11, 2026.

The accused, Latifa Salifu, a 33-year-old trader, is on trial for allegedly taking a four-day-old baby from Mamprobi Hospital. She has pleaded not guilty to a charge of child stealing and is currently on bail of GH¢200,000.

The complainant, Precious Ankomah, a 29-year-old trader from James Town, delivered a baby boy at Mamprobi Hospital on February 16, 2026, via caesarean section.

Prosecutors say medical examinations later showed the baby had jaundice, and plans were made to transfer mother and child to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Although the complainant was discharged the same day due to inability to pay hospital bills, she remained at the facility with her baby.

The prosecution said that at about 4:00 a.m. on February 17, the accused, wearing peach-coloured nurse scrubs, approached the complainant, looked at the baby and left.

She allegedly returned around 7 AM and took the baby away, claiming she was going to administer medication.

She did not return with the child.

When nurses arrived for duty, the baby was discovered missing. The complainant said a woman she believed to be a nurse had taken the baby for treatment.

A search of the hospital proved unsuccessful, and the matter was reported to Mamprobi Police by nurse Abigail Gudjinu.

On February 18, during investigations, a whistle-blower reportedly told police that the accused had claimed she delivered a baby at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and had been discharged the same day.

She was later arrested and allegedly admitted to the offence during interrogation.

Headline: Court warns Mamprobi baby theft case may be struck out over missing disclosures