Fake national security operative jailed 16 years

The Juaso Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Fredrick Tetteh, has sentenced a man, who posed as a national security operative and succeeded in swindling three people of cash totaling GH¢43,900 to 16 years imprisonment.

Yussif Salifu, 44, and unemployed, was charged with six counts of defrauding by false pretences, but he pleaded not guilty.

The convict, in the run up to the 2012 general polls, had gone to the Asante-Akim South District, where he presented himself as an officer of the national security assigned to the area to carry out special duties.

Police Detective Inspector Birikorang Peasah said Salifu spent a whole month working with the constituency executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and it was during that period that he managed to convince the victims that he could assist them to buy vehicles on auction, get them enlisted into the military and secure Canadian visa for them.

He told the court that Simon Nyarko, one of those who fell for the bait, paid GH¢27,400 to the convict towards the purchase of three seized cars and recruitment of three of his siblings into the Ghana Armed Forces.

Two other persons, Nana Kwadwo Appiah-Kubi and Alex Ohemeng between them, let go of GH¢16,500 for a Canadian visa and a Ford Escape vehicle, which were never delivered.

Salifu after collecting the money went into hiding and a formal report made to the police tracked him down to Odobeng in the Central Region and he was arrested.

The prosecution said he confessed to the crime in his caution statement.