The Criminal Division ‘5’ of the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Animwaa Anim-Addo, a radio presenter, for allegedly defrauding the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
The warrant was issued after Anim-Addo failed to appear in court on charges of defrauding by false pretense and making conflicting grants of the same land to multiple parties.
The case has been adjourned to January 21, 2025, for further proceedings.
Allegations
Prosecutor Assistant State Attorney Maame Afua Osei Gyamerah, holding brief for Assistant State Attorney Isaac Wilberforce Mensah, outlined the following allegations:
In September 2021, Anim-Addo approached Mr. Dame, claiming she urgently needed $50,000 for life-saving spinal surgery in India.
She reportedly offered a piece of land in East Legon as security, promising to repay the amount within two months or allow the money to serve as part payment for the land.
Mr. Dame, who had known Anim-Addo for three years through her assistance with media engagements and public relations, reluctantly gave her the money based on her repeated assurances and urgent pleas.
Days later, Mr. Dame returned from a trip to the United States, only to discover Anim-Addo on air hosting a radio show.
When questioned, Anim-Addo claimed she had traveled to India, undergone the surgery, and returned to work.
Investigations later revealed that Anim-Addo had not traveled to India or undergone any medical procedure.
Conflicting Land Grants
Further investigations uncovered that Anim-Addo had sold the same piece of land offered as security to an estate developer, Cod Company Ltd, for $30,000.
This sale occurred in April 2022, several months after she had made representations to Hon. Dame about the land.
Partial Refund and Legal Action
Since the complaint was lodged, Anim-Addo has returned only $5,000 of the $50,000 to Mr. Dame, leaving an outstanding balance of $45,000.
The bench warrant was issued to ensure her presence in court for the continuation of the trial.
