A 24-year-old salesman, Ebenezer Benam, has been granted bail by the Dansoman Circuit Court after being accused of defrauding a man of GH¢35,000 under the pretense of securing him enlistment into the Ghana Army.
Benam allegedly deceived Samuel Wunberawan, falsely promising to use the money to facilitate his recruitment into the military. He has been charged with defrauding by false pretenses, an offense under Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Presiding over the case, Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul Baasit granted Benam bail in the sum of GH¢140,000. As part of the conditions, he must provide two sureties who are public servants residing within the court’s jurisdiction and earning at least GH¢2,000 per month. Additionally, Benam is required to deposit his Ghana Card at the court registry and report to the investigator every two weeks until further notice.
The prosecution has been directed to submit witness statements and other disclosures in preparation for the case management conference (CMC). The court has adjourned the matter to April 28, 2025.
Background of case
Chief Inspector Portia Nuarko, leading the prosecution in the case against Ebenezer Benam, narrated to the court how the accused allegedly orchestrated a GH¢35,000 scam by falsely promising to secure military enlistment for Samuel Wunberawan, a student residing at Agbogbloshie, Accra.
According to Chief Inspector Nuarko, in November 2024, Benam, a salesman from Alajo, Accra, contacted Wunberawan by phone, claiming he had high-level connections within the Ghana Army and could guarantee his recruitment—provided he paid GH¢35,000.
Believing the promise, Wunberawan transferred GH¢28,000 into a mobile money account linked to the accused (0551420241). Days later, Benam lured the complainant to Burma Camp, a known military installation, under the guise of finalizing the process.
At the meeting, Wunberawan handed over an additional GH¢7,000 in cash, bringing the total amount paid to GH¢35,000.
However, once Benam received the full payment, he fled the scene and went into hiding, cutting off all communication with the complainant.
When Wunberawan realized he had been deceived, he filed a police report, leading to an extensive search for the suspect. Benam was eventually tracked and arrested at his hideout.
During police interrogation, he admitted to taking the money but claimed the total amount was GH¢30,700, not GH¢35,000.
Following investigations, he was charged with defrauding by false pretence and brought before the court to face justice.
