A 45-year-old businessman, Bawa Yusif Sarkodie, has been arraigned before the Circuit Court in Accra for allegedly defrauding a Contractor, James Gyekye, of GH¢400,000 under the pretext of selling him a wheel loader earthmoving machine.
Sarkodie, together with two accomplices, Yaw Sam and Fred, who are currently at large, is facing two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime (defrauding by false pretence) and defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Sections 23(1) and 131 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The Alleged Scam
According to court documents and the police charge sheet presented by the prosecutor, DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye, the incident occurred on January 31, 2025 at the GCB Bank High Street Branch in Accra.
The complainant, James Gyekye, a Contractor based in Cape Coast, had been seeking to purchase a wheel loader for his construction operations.
In the course of his search, Gyekye contacted a wheel loader driver, Isaac Ocran, who introduced him to one of the accused persons, Fred (A3). Fred claimed that his partner, Yaw Sam (A2) had a nephew working at the Flagstaff House, who also dealt in heavy-duty earthmoving machinery.
Gyekye and Ocran travelled to Accra on January 31, 2025 where they were introduced to Bawa Yusif Sarkodie (A1), who allegedly posed as a Presidential staffer and machinery dealer. Sarkodie led them to a garage in Shiashie, where he presented an ignition key to one of the wheel loaders parked there, convincing the complainant that he was indeed the rightful owner and seller.
Following the demonstration, Sarkodie took Gyekye to the GCB Bank High Street Branch, where the complainant withdrew GH¢400,000 and handed it over for the supposed processing of ownership documentation.
Sarkodie then took the complainant to the Flagstaff House reception, asking him to wait while he retrieved the necessary documents. He never returned and has been in hiding since the incident.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Sarkodie was finally arrested on September 15, 2025 in Weija, during investigations into similar fraud cases.
During interrogation, he admitted to the offence, corroborated Gyekye’s account, and identified Yaw Sam and Fred as his accomplices.
However, he has since refused to assist police in locating them. He was formally charged and arraigned before Her Honour Dora Gloria Araba Eshun, presiding judge of the Circuit Court in Accra.
Sarkodie has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The court has granted bail to the accused in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties, to be justified. The case has been adjourned to October 14, 2025, as police continue efforts to arrest the two fugitives, Yaw Sam and Fred.
The case is being investigated by Detective Lance Corporal Gyasi George Gregory.
