An actor, Samuel Seth Karikari, also known as Koo Ofori, has been arrested and taken into police custody over allegations of defrauding a U.S.-based medical practitioner of $50,000 under the pretext of securing land for her at Spintex in Accra.
The 55-year-old actor was to be arraigned before the Dansoman Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit. According to court records, Karikari was served with a criminal summons on April 17, 2025, but refused to comply. A bench warrant request by the prosecution was initially declined, and the matter was adjourned to April 23, 2025.
However, the accused again failed to appear.
At the resumed hearing, Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder, who is leading the prosecution, renewed the application for a bench warrant. This time, the court granted the request.
Karikari was arrested on Friday and brought to court, but the sitting was not in session. He is currently being held in police custody and is expected to appear before the court on Monday.
Background of the Case
The complainant, Dr. Emy Oduro-Burton, a medical practitioner domiciled in the United States, alleged that in 2021, Karikari convinced her to part with $50,000 (equivalent to GH¢309,000) for the purchase of a full plot of land measuring 70×100 feet at Spintex, Accra.
According to the facts presented by the prosecution, Dr. Oduro-Burton transferred the full amount to Karikari’s dollar account at Consolidated Bank Ghana. Unknown to her, Karikari allegedly used part of the funds—GH¢170,000—to purchase only half a plot of land from one Kwaku Danso, a witness in the case and the rightful owner of the land.
When Dr. Oduro-Burton later returned to Ghana to inspect the property, she discovered the deception. Efforts to recover her money proved futile, prompting her to report the matter to the police. Karikari was arrested and, during interrogation, reportedly admitted the offence in his caution statement.
The case continues on Monday 12 May, 2025, where he is expected to answer to charges of defrauding by false pretence.
Video of Koo Ofori
