Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, presiding judge of Circuit Court 11 in Accra, has rescinded a bench warrant previously issued for Prince Nuhu Ahmed, Assembly Member for one of the electoral areas in the Ayawaso North Municipal Assembly, who stands accused of defrauding two businessmen under the pretext of securing Bolivian visas.
Ahmed, a 50-year-old Entrepreneur, faces two counts of defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The charges stem from allegations that he collected a total of US$16,000 from two complainants, Alhaji Umar Farouk and Alhaji Yakubu, under the false claim of procuring Bolivian visas for their children.
According to court documents, Farouk paid US$10,500 for visas for his two sons, while Yakubu paid US$5,500 for his son. The accused is alleged to have issued receipts and promised delivery within a week.
However, after six months of unfulfilled promises and repeated excuses, the complainants demanded a refund to no avail. A formal police report was lodged in February 2024, leading to Ahmed’s arrest.
In court yesterday, defence counsel explained that Ahmed had been in the Northern Region for his mother’s burial when he was invited to report to police.
He complied voluntarily, but was arrested upon arrival. The prosecution insisted Ahmed had been arrested pursuant to a bench warrant.
Upon inquiry from the bench, Ahmed confirmed he had been bereaved and was out of town on September 8, the date in question. Satisfied with the explanation, the court rescinded the bench warrant.
Ahmed subsequently pleaded not guilty to both charges. The prosecution did not oppose bail, and he was granted bail in the sum of GH¢95,000 with two sureties, both to be justified.
As part of the bail conditions, Ahmed must deposit his Ghana Card and passport with the court registry, report to the case investigator every other Wednesday
and refrain from leaving the jurisdiction without notifying the investigator
During the course of investigations, Ahmed is reported to have refunded GH¢28,000, but the case remains active. The court has directed the prosecution to file disclosures ahead of a potential Case Management Conference (CMC) on November 17.
