An Accra Circuit Court presided over by Judge Samuel Bright Acquah has remanded three suspects into police custody following their involvement in an alleged gold fraud scheme. According to a Graphic Online report, the accused individuals include a businessman and two accomplices who are facing charges of conspiracy and defrauding by false pretense. The prosecution alleged that the group successfully collected two million dollars from a foreign national under the guise of selling gold bars to the investor.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution stated that the complainant expressed interest in purchasing gold and was introduced to the suspects. A report from Citi Newsroom indicates that the suspects allegedly showed the victim gold bars which were later discovered to be counterfeit. The state prosecutor argued against bail by citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the risk that the suspects might interfere with potential witnesses or flee the jurisdiction before the next hearing.
A GhanaWeb article covering the hearing noted that the defense counsel requested bail for the accused persons and argued that their clients were innocent until proven guilty. The defense team further stated that the suspects had fixed places of abode and were willing to cooperate with the Ghana Police Service. However, the court denied the application and ordered that the individuals remain in custody to ensure they appear for future proceedings. This decision aligns with the push by the Ghana Police Service to crack down on high profile fraud cases involving precious minerals.
The Accra Circuit Court has adjourned the case to a later date to allow the prosecution time to file witness statements and internal documents. According to official court records, the police are currently searching for additional suspects believed to be linked to the same syndicate operating within the capital. The authorities have cautioned foreign investors to verify all mineral transactions through the Precious Minerals Marketing Company to avoid falling victim to similar scams according to a previous public safety advisory from the Ghana Police Service.