An Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge Isaac Addo has remanded Wisdom Adidi into police custody on charges of defrauding by false pretenses. The prosecution alleged that the accused person misrepresented himself as a high ranking official associated with the Office of the President to lure victims into a recruitment scheme. According to reporting from the Ghana News Agency the suspect collected various sums of money from over fifty individuals seeking placement in national security services.
Technical details provided in the courtroom indicated that the suspect targeted individuals by promising them slots in the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana Police Service. The Ghana News Agency reported that the suspect collected fees ranging from 2,000 Cedis to 5,000 Cedis per person. Daily Guide Network reports stated that the victims were directed to meet at specific locations for purported medical screenings that never materialized. The total amount allegedly defrauded from the victims is estimated at 120,000 Cedis according to court filings.
The prosecution led by Chief Inspector Wisdom Alorwu requested the court to deny bail to allow the police further time for investigations. The police statement provided to the court noted that several more victims are coming forward with similar complaints against the accused. Counsel for the defendant argued for bail stating that the accused had a fixed place of abode and would not interfere with investigations but the court denied the application based on the gravity of the offenses and the potential for the suspect to abscond.
Authorities have advised the public to follow official recruitment channels for all security agencies. A statement from the Ghana Police Service emphasized that recruitment into national services is not conducted through third party intermediaries or private mobile money transfers. The court has adjourned the matter to an upcoming date for further hearing while the suspect remains in police custody at the Accra Central Police Station as confirmed by Graphic Online reports.