Justice Evelyn Asamoah Susana, presiding over the Circuit Court in Accra, on Tuesday granted bail to two accused persons alleged to have conspired and defrauded a legal practitioner of GH¢192,000 under the guise of providing military protection for his land at Kwabenya.
The accused persons — Mahama Baani Razak, also known as Major Zack Gariba Tanko, a 43-year-old businessman, and Hudu Fatimata Neina, a 30-year-old unemployed woman — pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit crime, specifically defrauding by false pretenses, contrary to Sections 23(1) and 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The facts of the case are that in March 2025, the complainant, Lambon Justice Iddrisu, a lawyer residing in North Legon, was introduced to the first accused, Razak, by a friend.
Razak allegedly presented himself as a Major in the Ghana Armed Forces and claimed to have influence over military police personnel who could protect the complainant’s land from persistent land guard activities.
The complainant, believing the representation, reportedly agreed to the arrangement and was asked to pay GH¢192,000 for the purported operation.
Razak allegedly provided multiple phone numbers, including one belonging to his wife, Fatimata Neina (A2), through which the complainant was to transfer the funds.
Prosecutors say that once the payment was completed, the accused persons failed to provide the promised security services and went into hiding.
The complainant later discovered, upon inquiry with military authorities, that Razak was not affiliated with the Ghana Armed Forces. A formal complaint was subsequently lodged with the police.
The police arrested the two after investigations. Razak denied the allegations in his cautioned statement, while Fatimata admitted to receiving money through her mobile number, which she claimed she withdrew for Razak.
The court granted each accused person bail in the sum of GH¢300,000, with three sureties, two of whom must be justified with immovable property.
Chief Inspector Ebenezer Teye-Okuffo, leading the prosecution, was directed by the court to file all necessary disclosures and witness statements ahead of the Case Management Conference (CMC). The case has been adjourned to July 30, 2025.
Police investigator No. 49410 D/CPL Tetteh Michael is in charge of the case, which remains under investigation.
