A former teacher of Mab International Nursing School, Elijah Phinehas Ayitey Okine, has once again come under public scrutiny after being arraigned before the Dansoman Circuit Court on charges of conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretence in connection with a visa scam amounting to GH¢90,000.00.
Okine, 48, who allegedly promised to secure a Finland visa and work permit for a nurse, has pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared before Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah on Friday. His alleged accomplice, Eugene Oppong, is currently at large.
According to the prosecution led by Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder, the case revolves around Beatrice Yayra Cooper, a nurse who was introduced to Okine in January 2024 by a mutual contact, Janice Afrancho.
At the time, Cooper was based in Saudi Arabia, but returned to Ghana after being assured by Okine, that he could facilitate her travel to Finland within six months.
In their initial meeting at Weija, Okine allegedly demanded GH¢90,000.00 for the full processing of the visa and work permit. He reportedly collected an initial GH¢2,000.00 from the complainant for an application form.
Later, on October 22, 2024 Cooper was directed by Okine and his alleged accomplice to deposit €4,500 (equivalent to GH¢43,815.00) into an account, bearing the name Reliance Frontier Limited at the GT Bank, Airport Branch.
She was told the remaining amount (GH¢44,278.00) would be used for travel to Nigeria for documentation, interviews and biometric processes necessary for her Finland relocation.
After completing the supposed process in Nigeria and returning to Ghana, Cooper was unable to reach either of the two accused persons.
They had gone into hiding, prompting her to lodge a complaint with the Regional Criminal Investigations Department (RCID) in Accra.
Investigations revealed that Okine had already been detained in connection with a similar visa fraud case.
During interrogation, he admitted to receiving the money, but claimed he handed it over to Oppong, whom he could not help police locate.
The accused was formally charged under Sections 23(1) and 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) for conspiracy and defrauding by false pretence.
Okine pleaded not guilty to the offences and was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties to be justified.
The prosecution was led by Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder. The case has been adjourned to October 29, 2025, for further hearing.
