Four individuals, including two Businessmen and a Caterer, have appeared before the Accra Circuit Court, facing charges relating to a high-profile gold scam.
The accused – Mohammed Umaro, 54 and Sampson Acquah, 45, both Businessmen; Blessing Sylvester Aishah, 43, a Caterer and Hamidu Mumuni, who remains at large – have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and defrauding by false pretences.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, when they appeared before Her Honour Susana Eduful.
Sampson Acquah and Blessing Sylvester Aishah were granted bail set at GH¢100,000 each, with two sureties, whose monthly earnings must be at least GH¢5,000.
Both were also instructed to report to the police every month until the case is resolved.
Mohammed Umaro initially faced a bail denial due to concerns over his potential flight risk. However, after an appeal, he was granted bail set at GH¢50,000 with two sureties, who must also meet the GH¢5,000 monthly income requirement.
Ismali Ibrahim, a 36-year-old gold dealer from Niger, was convinced into paying $300,000 for ten gold bars that did not exist. Ibrahim had been contacted by Mumuni, who claimed to have the gold for sale.
He, along with associates Issoufoul Ibrahim and Jibril Haruna, traveled to Accra to complete the transaction.
Upon arrival, they were taken to various locations by Umaro, Acquah and Aishah, who showed them what were purported to be gold bars and agreed on a price of $300,000.
Ibrahim was directed to make the payment at a different location. When Ibrahim and his associates arrived, they were met by individuals impersonating police officers.
These men, later identified as accomplices, seized the $300,000 and the gold bars, leaving Ibrahim and his associates stranded.
Following the incident, Ibrahim filed a complaint with the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) on May 2, 2024. The suspects were arrested on May 10, 2024.
During questioning, Umaro admitted to receiving a portion of the stolen funds, but denied direct involvement in the theft.
He reportedly received $15,000 from Mumuni, of which he distributed $6,000 to Acquah and $2,000 plus GH¢3,000 to Aishah.
The police have recovered $3,000 from Umaro and GH¢2,000 from Aishah, which are being held as evidence. The investigation continues, with authorities still searching for Hamidu Mumuni.
