The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of businessman, Eshawu Shaibu and Real Estate Agent, Eric Ansah, after they failed to appear in court on three occasions, in connection with a GH¢320,000 fraud case.
Eshawu Shaibu, 45, and Ansah, 54, along with two accomplices, currently at large – Sam Billson and John Mensah Appiah – are accused of defrauding businessman, George Oti Bonsu under the pretence of securing government-released lands at Dzorwulu, Airport and Cantonments.
Allegations and Charges
The accused persons face charges of Conspiracy to Commit Crime, namely defrauding by False Pretence and Defrauding by False Pretence under Sections 23(1) and 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
According to Inspector Esther Mensah, who is leading the prosecution, between March 1 and April 27, 2023 the accused allegedly conspired to deceive George Bonsu into handing over GH¢320,000. They falsely claimed they had connections at the Lands Commission and could facilitate the acquisition and documentation of government-released lands.
George Oti Bonsu, a resident of East Legon, was introduced to Eshawu Shaibu by a mutual acquaintance, Hajia Fati.
Eshawu Shaibu allegedly assured George Bonsu that his associates at the Lands Commission could assist in securing the lands.
Eshawu Shaibu then introduced Ansah and Billson – who falsely presented themselves as Lands Commission staff to Bonsu.
The accused reportedly took Bonsu to inspect the lands, further convincing him of their legitimacy.
Bonsu subsequently made multiple payments: GH¢20,000 on March 1, 2023; GH¢70,000 on March 9, 2023 and GH¢100,000 on March 16, 2023.
Furthermore, he made GH¢30,000 on March 30, 2023 and GH¢100,000 on April 27, 2023.
Despite receiving the funds, the accused failed to deliver the promised lands and documents, instead providing excuses.
On April 27, 2023, they introduced John Mensah Appiah, who also claimed to be a Lands Commission official and took another GH¢100,000 from Bonsu, but still failed to process the land documents.
Following a formal complaint on October 30, 2024, police launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of Shaibu and Ansah at their hideout. During interrogation, they reportedly admitted to the offence.
Despite being summoned to appear before the court on January 6, January 15, and February 17, 2025, the accused failed to honor the summons.
As a result, the court issued a bench warrant for their arrest and adjourned the case to April 4, 2025.
