A 40-year-old printer, John Nyarko, has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 by the Circuit Court 7 in Accra, presided over by Her Ladyship Ellen Ofei-Ayeh, after he was charged with defrauding a fellow printer of GH¢40,000 under the pretext of securing a Canadian visa.
Nyarko, who pleaded not guilty to a charge of defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), is required to produce two ordinary citizens as sureties as part of his bail conditions.
Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Ofori Appiah told the court that the complainant, Wisdom Batcho Idogna, also a printer and resident of Sowutuom, had known the accused, a Kotobabi resident, for years.
In June 2024, Nyarko allegedly convinced Idogna that he had a contact in Canada who could help secure a visa for him, but would require GH¢40,000 to facilitate the process. Despite Idogna’s request to speak directly with this supposed contact, Nyarko insisted all communication be handled through him.
The complainant reportedly paid the full amount in two instalments of GH¢20,000 each. Nyarko subsequently advised Idogna to undergo a police background check and medical examination, further lending credibility to the process.
However, after the promised two-week visa processing period passed without any progress or contact, Idogna demanded a refund. In response, Nyarko issued a GH¢44,000 cheque from the National Investment Bank dated April 17, 2025. But when Idogna attempted to cash it, he was informed that only the account holder could do so.
After waiting several hours at the bank without success and receiving no further cooperation, Idogna lured Nyarko to a police station, where he was arrested.
Nyarko has since refunded GH¢2,000 in court, leaving an outstanding balance of GH¢38,000.
