A 44-year-old farmer, Dennis Mawuli Kwame Bedi, has been hauled before Circuit Court 7, in Accra, for allegedly defrauding a Kumasi-based medical doctor of over GH¢7.4 million, under the pretence of securing him 1,300 acres of land at Dabala, in the Volta Region and facilitating a U.S. visa.
Dennis Bedi, who pleaded not guilty to four counts of defrauding by false pretence and forgery, was granted bail in the sum of GH¢6 million, with four sureties, two of which must be justified. He has also been barred from traveling outside the court’s jurisdiction and is required to report to the case investigator every two weeks on Wednesdays.
The court, presided over by Her Honour Sedinam Awo Kwadam, first heard the case on August 20, 2025.
The accused was remanded into police custody following his plea and later granted bail on August 4, 2025 when his bail application was considered.
Due to the high monetary value involved, the Attorney-General’s Department has taken over prosecution from the police.
The state is now represented by Assistant State Attorney Kwadwo Kunadu Asiamah, replacing Chief Inspector Daniel Appiah-Ofori.
The Charges
Count One: Defrauding by False Pretence – Dennis Bedi is accused of obtaining GH¢7,432,800.00 from Dr. Manye Mensah Awuku Dzifah, a Kumasi-based medical doctor, by falsely claiming he could acquire 1,300 acres of land at Dabala for him.
Count Two: Defrauding by False Pretence – In 2024, Bedi allegedly collected GH¢230,000 from the same complainant under the pretext of using his “influence” to secure United States visas for the doctor and his family.
Count Three: Forgery of Documents – Between 2015 and May 2025, Bedi allegedly forged land receipts purporting to be from the Torgbui Kwakuvi Lu family, suggesting land ownership.
Count Four: Forgery of Documents – During the same period, he is also accused of forging receipts in the name of the Torgbui Degenu family, again misrepresenting land ownership.
According to the prosecution, the accused befriended the complainant in 2015, presenting himself as someone capable of securing large parcels of land for investment. Moved by Bedi’s pleas and claims of local connections, the complainant agreed to the deal.
Bedi allegedly claimed the land belonged to three families: Torgbui Kwakuvi, Torgbe Degenu V and Torgbe Edem Gali Degenu.
He presented forged monthly receipts, and even drafted indentures for 570 acres as proof of progress.
In a bid to bolster credibility, Bedi reportedly told the doctor that Japanese investors were interested in purchasing the land for $540 million.
This, according to the prosecution, was a fabrication aimed at justifying further payments.
Investigations revealed that from 2015 to 2025, Bedi received funds for various fictitious expenses including GH¢2,449,700 supposedly for land purchases, GH¢123,000 for documentation, Supreme Court registration and government “settlements and GH¢60,000 to “settle boundary owners”.
The complainant further paid GH¢22,800 for fuel and government approvals, including taxes and insurance, GH¢84,600 – allegedly for Supreme Court letters and GH¢540,000 for legal fees to “increase land value.”
Despite repeated assurances, Bedi failed to deliver the land or any of the promised results.
Efforts by the complainant to locate either the land or Bedi proved futile, prompting a formal complaint to the police.
Further investigations revealed Bedi was already facing a similar defrauding case in Kibi, suggesting a pattern of fraudulent activity.
The case is expected to return to court later next month for case management and further proceedings. The court has warned the accused against interfering with the investigation or attempting to flee.
If convicted, Bedi could face significant prison time under Sections 131(1) and 159 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
