Car dealer accused of defrauding police officer

A Circuit Court at Dansoman, Accra, has ordered the release of GH¢89,000 to a police officer who was allegedly defrauded by a car dealer.

The accused, Iddrisu Yakubu, a 33-year-old car dealer, is standing trial for defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Portia Nuarko, the accused allegedly defrauded Hafisu Seidu, a police officer stationed in Tamale, of GH¢115,000 in March 2025 at Sowutuom in the Greater Accra Region.

Prosecutors told the court that while the complainant was on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, the accused represented to him that he had a 2017 model Toyota Rav 4 for sale at a cost of GH¢80,000.

Based on this representation, the complainant paid a total of GH¢115,000, which included additional costs for spraying and finishing works, at the request of the accused.

However, upon the complainant’s return to Ghana on July 29, 2025, the accused allegedly informed him that the promised Rav 4 would be replaced with a different vehicle.

The complainant rejected the proposal, after which the accused reportedly ceased communication and went into hiding.

On August 14, 2025, the complainant allegedly lured the accused under the guise of a business proposal, leading to his arrest.

During investigations, the accused claimed he had given the money to a friend for safekeeping but that it was later stolen from the friend’s room.

He was, however, unable to lead the police to the said friend, prompting the police to charge him before the court.

When the case was called on Monday, December 1, 2025, before Her Ladyship Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, sitting as an additional Circuit Court judge, the accused was absent.

Chief Inspector Nuarko informed the court that the accused was unwell and had been admitted to a hospital.

The prosecution further disclosed that after being granted police enquiry bail, the accused made a payment of GH¢89,000, and applied for the amount to be released to the complainant as restitution.

The court granted the application, ordering that the amount be paid to the complainant, who had travelled from Tamale for the proceedings.

The case has been adjourned to January 12, 2026, for the plea of the accused person to be taken.