Frisvold Geir Ivar Ringstrom, a Norwegian national, has reportedly lost GH¢16,000 and $1,000 in what authorities describe as a gold scam orchestrated by a Nigerian man, Promise Kuasi Oniwor, also known as John or Jude Asaba Oghuvwu, and another who remains at large.
The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by Susana Eduful, has granted Oniwor bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with strict conditions, including three sureties.
One of the sureties must earn no less than GH¢3,000 monthly, while the other two must be immediate family members of the accused.
Oniwor, who faces charges of conspiracy to defraud by false pretenses under Section 23 (1) and 131 of Ghana’s Criminal and Other Offences Act (1960), pleaded not guilty in court.
ASP Lawrence Anane, representing the prosecution, was ordered to file all necessary disclosures and witness statements, adhering to court protocols.
The trial has been adjourned to December 10, 2024, when it will resume with further proceedings.
According to the prosecutor’s statement, Ringstrom first encountered Oniwor in 2015 on Facebook.
Through online conversations, Oniwor allegedly convinced Ringstrom that he was a miner and could supply him with gold.
Acting on these assurances, Ringstrom reportedly traveled to Ghana, where Oniwor introduced him to the second accused, who was presented as a bullion van driver capable of transporting the gold from Kibi to Accra.
During negotiations, Oniwor allegedly offered to sell the gold for GH¢48,500 per kilogram. Ringstrom, persuaded by Oniwor’s claims, made an initial payment of GH¢15,000 and US$1,000.00 on November 4, 2024, intending to settle the remaining balance two days later.
However, growing suspicious, Ringstrom reported the matter to the police, who subsequently arrested Oniwor at Accra Mall. The second accused managed to evade capture.
During questioning, Oniwor reportedly confessed to luring Ringstrom to Ghana under false pretenses to defraud him and admitted that the money received had been split between himself and the second accused.
Oniwor, however, has not been able to assist authorities in locating his alleged accomplice, and investigations are ongoing.
