The Dansoman Circuit Court has granted bail to Togbui Satsimadza Afadi III, Managing Director of Marrer Ghana Ltd., and Novihoho Afaglo, an entrepreneur, who are facing charges of defrauding by false pretenses and making conflicting land grants.
The two were accused of defrauding Isaac Donkor and Mercy Allotey of a combined sum of GH¢9,650,000 through a scheme involving the multiple sale of land. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Presiding Judge Halimah El-Alawa Abdul Baasit set bail at GH¢550,000 each, imposing strict conditions.
The accused are required to provide three sureties: two must be public servants earning at least GH¢5,000 monthly, while the third must deposit title deeds equivalent to the bail amount.
Additionally, the accused must surrender their Ghana Cards and report to the police every two weeks.
The case was adjourned to February 17, 2025.
The charges against them include conspiracy to commit crime under Section 23 of the Criminal Offenses Act, making conflicting land grants under Section 277(2)(c) of the Lands Act, and defrauding by false pretenses under Sections 23(1) and 131(1) of the Criminal Offenses Act.
According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder, the alleged fraud began in March 2022.
Togbui Satsimadza Afadi III, representing Marrer Ghana Ltd., sold 17 plots of land located at Dansoman Keep Fit to pharmacist Mercy Allotey for GH¢8,500,000. The sale was formalized with a site plan and an indenture.
In July 2023, Togbui Afadi and his younger brother, Novihoho Afaglo, allegedly resold one of the previously sold plots to businessman Isaac Donkor for GH¢1,150,000, issuing a new site plan and indenture.
The scheme unraveled on June 10, 2024, when Allotey discovered Donkor working on the disputed land. Confronted, Donkor stated that he had purchased the plot from the accused.
The incident was reported to the Dansoman Police, prompting an investigation. Togbui Afadi admitted to selling the 17 plots to Allotey in 2022 but claimed his brother was responsible for the resale of the disputed plot.
Novihoho Afaglo also admitted to selling the land to Donkor, despite knowing it had already been sold to Allotey.
The court will deliberate on the charges in February 2025 as the prosecution prepares to present its evidence.
