An Ivorian national, Yi-Oufou Nikiema Sanogo, has been remanded into custody by an Accra Circuit Court for his alleged involvement in a cross-border raw rubber fraud amounting to GH¢308,000.
Presided over by relieving judge Samuel Bright Acquah, the court also issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Sanogo’s alleged accomplice, Adjoumani Kouame Ishmael, also known as Musah, who is currently at large.
Sanogo has pleaded not guilty to two counts—abetment of crime and defrauding by false pretence—contrary to Sections 20(1) and 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The case has been adjourned to August 10, 2025.
The Fraud Scheme
According to the prosecutor, Fusain Ayoba, the complainant, Ms. Selasie Eugenia Farrie, is a Ghanaian businesswoman based in Accra. Her business associate, Fred Nana Paralon, is also a key witness in the case.
The facts presented to the court indicate that on July 9, 2025, the complainant and the witness were introduced to the second accused, Ishmael alias Musah, who claimed he had connections with companies in Côte d’Ivoire that could supply raw rubber for import into Ghana.
Following initial discussions, the complainant and her associate traveled to Côte d’Ivoire, where they met Sanogo through Ishmael. The accused persons led the complainant and her witness to a hotel in Abengourou and assured them that arrangements were underway to transport the raw rubber.
On July 15, 2025, a DAF XF Truck with registration number 7078HR01, driven by Sanogo, was loaded with substances claimed to be raw rubber and taken to Ghana’s Yawmetwa border. To convince the buyers, the accused reportedly sprinkled pieces of rubber around the truck to mimic authenticity.
The complainant then paid Ishmael GH¢308,000 in cash via mobile money for the consignment.
However, upon reaching the Mamprusi border in Ghana, Sanogo parked the truck and, during customs entry processing, Ishmael was seen fleeing the scene on a motorbike. Witness Fred Paralon became suspicious and inspected the cargo, only to discover that the contents were not raw rubber.
Investigation and Arrest
A formal complaint was filed with the Akaatiso Police. The truck was impounded at the Akaatiso Customs barrier, and the matter was subsequently referred to National Security for further investigation.
On July 22, 2025, a National Security team visited Akaatiso and Oseikojokrom in the Western North Region, where they confirmed the goods were not rubber. Customs officials were requested to assess the contents and issue an official report.
Sanogo was later arrested and brought to Accra for questioning. During interrogation, he reportedly admitted to transporting the goods to the Ghana border and confirmed that they were not raw rubber as earlier claimed.
He was formally charged and arraigned before the Circuit Court. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest Ishmael.
