A 29-year-old dispatch rider has been remanded into police custody by the Circuit Court in Accra for allegedly diverting GH¢370,000 he was entrusted with to exchange into dollars and using the money to stake sports bets.
The accused, Abdul Aziz Sanfo Abdullai, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing when he appeared before Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah on Monday. He is expected to reappear in court on 17 November, 2025.
The Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Abel Amanie told the court that the complainant, Deborah Adwoa Boateng, is a businesswoman who owns a retail shop at Dansoman.
In September 2025, as part of preparations for a business trip to China to purchase goods, she allegedly handed GH¢370,000 in cash to Abdul Aziz to convert into US dollars.
According to the prosecution, the accused later claimed he gave the money to a woman he identified as “Madam Vee” who supposedly promised to deliver the equivalent of $35,000 to the complainant in China.
However, upon her arrival, Ms Boateng was unable to reach the said woman, despite numerous attempts.
Chief Inspector Amanie said that a day before the complainant returned to Ghana, the accused told her he had received the money from “Madam Vee” only to later claim he had been robbed of the funds at Pokuase.
He reportedly told the complainant he had reported the incident to the police.
Investigations, however, revealed that Abdul Aziz was not robbed as alleged. He allegedly confessed that he used the money to bet and gamble.
He was subsequently charged with stealing, contrary to Section 124 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and arraigned before the court.
The court remanded him to assist further police investigations.
