A Ghanaian, Baffour Abraham and two Nigerians, 39 year old Sunday Olatunji and Israel Olawale Omoley, 51, have defrauded one Farhad Omedi, a citizen of the United Arab Emirates of US$60,000.
Farhad Omedi, a citizen of the United Arab Emirates lost US$60,000.00 in a gold deal allegedly orchestrated by the Ghanaian and two Nigerians fter luring him to visit them in Accra.
Olatunji and Omoley have since been apprehended by the police at Dawhenya and Lakeside, respectively while Baffour Abraham remains on the run.
Appearing before the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, the accused pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime to wit defrauding by false pretense.
They were granted bail of GH¢1 million each and ordered to surrender their passports to the court registry. The case is scheduled to resume on February 20, 2024.
One Abass, who is currently in Dubai, introduced Omedi to Baffour Abraham, who posed as a gold dealer residing in Ghana.
Baffour allegedly convinced Omedi of his legitimacy, leading to Omedi’s arrival in Ghana on January 22, 2024.
Omedi was received by Olatunji, who drove him to meet Baffour. The duo then took Omedi to On Time Security Company in Achimota, Accra, where they showcased 30 kilograms of gold bars to him. A refinery test confirmed the authenticity of the gold, and Omedi agreed to purchase one kilogram for US$60,000.
On January 30, 2024, Omedi, accompanied by Baffour and Olatunji, went to Kotoka International Airport with the gold for export. Baffour allegedly enlisted the help of three customs officers to facilitate the documentation process.
However, upon arrival, Omedi became suspicious when Baffour and Olatunji disappeared with the gold and his money.
The police launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of Olatunji and Omoley at a hotel in Dawhenya on March 2, 2024.
A search of their belongings yielded incriminating evidence, including metal bars suspected to be fake gold and cash.
Omoley claimed that Baffour had given him the items.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Baffour, and the case remains under investigation.