Accra, Sept 17, GNA – A self-acclaimed businessman, Bawa Yusif Sarkodie, has been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a contractor of GHC400,000 under the pretext of supplying him with a wheel loader machine.
Sarkodie, together with his accomplices, identified as Yaw Sam and Fred (both currently at large), allegedly collected the money but failed to deliver the machine. He has been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and defrauding by false pretences. Sarkodie has pleaded not guilty.
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The court, presided over by Mrs Dora Eshun, granted him bail in the sum of GHC100,000 with two sureties to be justified. The case has been adjourned to October 14, 2025.
Prosecution’s Case
According to the prosecution, the complainant, James Gyekye, a contractor based in Cape Coast, was seeking to purchase a wheel loader in January 2025. He consulted a wheel loader driver, Isaac Ocran, who later connected him with Fred, now at large. Fred introduced them to Yaw Sam, who claimed his nephew, a staff member at the Flagstaff House, was selling a wheel loader at a garage in Shiashie.
On January 31, 2025, Gyekye and Ocran travelled to Accra and were introduced to Sarkodie at the garage. Sarkodie allegedly posed as a Presidential staffer and dealer in heavy-duty machines. He later handed them an ignition key to inspect one of the wheel loaders parked at the premises.
The prosecution said Sarkodie then led the complainant to the GCB Bank High Street Branch, where Gyekye withdrew GHC400,000 and handed it to Sarkodie for documentation. Sarkodie later took the complainant to the Flagstaff House reception, asked him to wait, and then vanished.
After unsuccessful attempts to reach him, Gyekye reported the matter to the police. Sarkodie was arrested on September 15, 2025, at Weija in connection with similar fraud-related cases. During interrogation, he admitted the offence and confirmed the involvement of Yaw Sam and Fred but failed to assist in their arrest.
The police say efforts are ongoing to apprehend the two fugitives.
