Defrauding by False Pretences

An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a hairstylist, Adwoa Nyarko, to five years in prison for a GHC139,000 recruitment scam. She was found guilty on four counts of conspiracy to commit a crime and defrauding by false pretenses. Her accomplices, Nana Osei and Charles Kwame Damoah, remain at large. ASP Raymond Ackon, the prosecutor, informed the court, presided over by Mrs. Ellen Ofei Ayeh, that Nyarko resides in Wenchi. In September 2021, the complainants, Nana Yaw Barimah and Collins Atta Oteng, reported to the police that in 2020, Nyarko and her accomplices had demanded and received GHC139,000 in cash, promising to secure or facilitate employment for some of their relatives at the Ghana Revenue Authority, but they failed to deliver on that promise. The prosecution stated that upon receiving the complaint, the police initiated an investigation, which led to Nyarko’s arrest in Asankare, Ashanti Region. During interrogation, Nyarko admitted to receiving money from the complainants to secure jobs for some residents of Asante-Akyem. She also claimed that she handed the funds over to her accomplices, Osei and Damoah, who remain at large. The prosecutor said that efforts were ongoing to locate and apprehend Osei and Damoah to assist with the investigation. GNA  

Abdulai Halidu, a 32-year-old auto mechanic, has been granted bail of one million Ghana cedis by an Accra Circuit Court over fraud. He is accused of defrauding two individuals by taking GH₵66,000 and $10,200 to secure them a Mercedes Benz vehicle. Halidu faces charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and defrauding by false pretenses, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His accomplice, Darlington Agyekum Sarfo, is currently at large. The Court, presided by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, admitted Halidu to a one million bail with three sureties, one to be justified. It adjourned the matter to October 22, 2024. Police Chief Inspector Daniel Danku presented the facts, stating that the complainants, Jemila Trihim and Richmond Osei Kissi, are both traders living in Achimota and Ashongman, respectively, while the accused, Abdulai Halidu, resides at Mile 7. The prosecution noted that the complainants are friends and that in July 2021, Mr. Kissi brought his car to Halidu’s workshop at Mile 7, where he saw other recently imported used cars that Halidu was repairing. The prosecution stated that Halidu informed Kissi that the cars were brought to him by Sarfo, who was overseas. After leaving the shop, Kissi shared details about the cars he had seen with Trihim, and both complainants expressed interest in purchasing some of the vehicles, prompting Kissi to make further inquiries with Halidu. The prosecution reported that Halidu contacted Sarfo, who assured Kissi that making a payment to Halidu would enable them to acquire any car of their choice. Following that conversation, Kissi relayed the information to Trihim, and together they decided to purchase a 2019 Mercedes Benz, for which Halidu and Sarfo quoted a price of $21,200, which the complainants accepted. The prosecution stated that the complainants made an initial payment of GH₵66,000, which was equivalent to $11,000, to Halidu. “They again made a second payment of $5,000.00 to Halidu. The final payment of $5,200.00 was transferred to Sarfo at his base in the United States,” it added. The prosecution indicated that after collecting the complainants’ money, the two accused began providing different explanations and failed to deliver the Mercedes Benz. On August 9, 2024, the complainants reported the case to the police, leading to Halidu’s arrest, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Sarfo, who remains at large. GNA