Samuel Issah Abdulai, a 28-year-old driver who was nabbed on his wedding day for fraud has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court. Abdulai is alleged to have collected GH₵352,000 from three complainants under the pretext of securing visas for them but failed.
Accused promised to secure electronic visas of Mongolia, Georgia, Albania and Malaysia. Charged with three counts of defrauding by false pretences and forgery of documents, Abdulai has pleaded not guilty. The Court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah has admitted the accused to bail in the sum of GH₵150,000 with three sureties, one to be justified.
The accused person was ordered to report to the Police once every two weeks by the Court. Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Daniel Danku said the complainants were Ohenewa Sarah and Matilda Ayaaba, both traders and Aisha Ahamed, a businesswoman all residing in Accra.
Chief Inspector Danku said Abdulai resides at Nkawie in Ashanti Region. Prosecution said between the months of September and December 2024, accused persons and his accomplice one Antwi posted advertising fliers on the internet soliciting for persons who are interested in travelling to countries such as Belarus, Andora, Albania and Malaysia for work. The Prosecution said at that time, the accused person claimed to be in Belarus.
The Court heard that the accused was later contacted by the three complainants on different occasions, and he convinced them that he could help them acquire various visas to the above-mentioned countries.
Prosecution said Abdulai then demanded and collected cash in the sum of GH₵47,000 from Sarah Ohemewa, the first complainant, GH₵55,000 from Matilda Ayaaba, the second complainant and GH₵250,000 from the third complainant Aisha Ahmed, who also collected money from eleven persons.
Prosecution said Abdulai, after collecting the money via his Momo number, bearing his name, went into hiding. The Court said somewhere in December 2024, Abdulai “surfaced and sent some documents he claims were electronic visas to the complainants via WhatsApp. The Prosecution said the complainant suspected foul play and started looking for the accused person.
The Court heard that the complainants and other persons believed to be victims of the accused person, arrested Abdulai at his wedding ceremony at Nkawei in the Ashanti Region and handed him over to the Police at Teshie. “Further checks on the electronic visas at the Immigration DFEC Unit revealed that all the visas were fake.” Prosecution said.
By: GNA
