Dansoman Circuit Court has granted bail to John Kingsford Numuah, a 44-year-old miner, accused of defrauding a businesswoman of GH¢73,000.00 under false pretenses and threatening her daughter.
Presiding over the case, Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit set bail at GH¢80,000 with three sureties—two of whom must be public servants earning at least GH¢2,000, and one justified with title deeds.
Additionally, the accused has been ordered to deposit his Ghana Card with the court registry and report to the police every two weeks.
The case, which was heard on February 17, 2025, has been adjourned to March 14, 2025, while investigations continue.
According to the prosecution, Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder, the first complainant, Doris Hemmerling, a Ghanaian businesswoman based in the United Kingdom, entrusted GH¢73,000.00 to John Kingsford Numuah in August 2024 to purchase building materials for her construction project in Oyibi, Accra.
The accused, however, allegedly diverted the funds into a separate business and presented fake payment receipts purportedly issued by K. Ofori Company Limited.
When Hemmerling contacted K. Ofori Company Limited, she discovered that the company had never done business with the accused. Suspicious of fraud, she asked her daughter, Elizabeth Akasi Newton, to demand a refund of the money.
Upon receiving pressure to return the funds, Numuah allegedly sent a voice recording to Elizabeth Akasi Newton, warning:
“If you continue asking about the money, I will deal with you.”
This threat instilled fear and panic in both complainants, prompting them to file a petition with the police.
Following the report, police tracked and arrested Numuah at his hideout in Abura, Western Region, and transferred him to the Regional CID in Accra for investigations.
During questioning, he admitted to receiving the GH¢73,000.00 but denied making any threats. He managed to refund GH¢30,000.00, leaving an outstanding balance of GH¢43,000.00.
After investigations, he was formally charged with defrauding by false pretense and threat of harm, and brought before the court.
The case is set for March 14, 2025, for further proceedings.
