An Accra Circuit Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mercy Lilina Danquah, a 38-year-old woman accused of defrauding a businessman of GH₵100,000 under the pretense of securing him a Ghana Cocoa Road Contract.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Wisdom Alorwu, informed the court that Danquah, after collecting the money, failed to fulfill her promises and did not appear in court for the case.
Presided over by Mrs. Ellen Ofei Ayeh, the court granted the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant. The case has been adjourned to October 11, 2023.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Bright Asante-Appiah, a businessman residing in East Legon, sought assistance from Renaissance African Group to finance his project in May 2021. During discussions, it was determined that the complainant did not meet the minimum funding requirements.
Renaissance African Group introduced the complainant to Mercy Danquah at the Octagon Towers. Danquah claimed to oversee the Ghana Mining Sector Road Rehabilitation Secretariat and offered to assist the complainant in securing a $10 million Cocoa Road Contract.
Allegedly, Danquah collected GH₵100,000 as a contract fee from the complainant in September 2021 but failed to fulfill her promise, providing excuses instead.
A complaint was filed at the Adabraka Police Station on July 31, 2021, leading to Danquah’s arrest. During the investigation, she admitted to receiving the complainant’s money, asserting that it was meant to establish the Ghana Mining Sector Road Rehabilitation Secretariat.
However, further investigation revealed no such Secretariat existed under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, as claimed by Danquah.
The Secretariat, which had been registered at the Registrar Generals’ Department, was found locked at its Octagon Towers location in Accra, following the commencement of the case.
Danquah had requested time to refund the money, and on January 24, 2023, she repaid GH₵10,000, which has been kept as an exhibit.
- Reporting by Joyce Danso: Editing by Adewale Adejoke
