Court issues 2nd bench warrant in NPP parliamentary aspirant fraud case

The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by  Susan Eduful, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Solomon Okuley, the first accused in an alleged GH¢800,000 fraud case involving a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant, Collins Amoah.

The warrant for Okuley’s arrest comes after he failed to appear in court on Monday. His defense counsel claimed he was absent due to health challenges, but Judge Eduful noted that there was no medical excuse duty on the docket to support this claim. As a result, she ordered his arrest.

This is the second bench warrant issued in the case. The first was for Collins Amoah, who is reportedly on the run.

Alleged Political Fraud

The case involves allegations that Okuley, a 51-year-old trader and Amoah, a failed NPP parliamentary aspirant for the Ablekuma Central constituency, defrauded businessman Anthony Kojo Ababio of GH¢800,000.

They allegedly convinced him that they could use their political connections in the Akufo-Addo administration to clear his tax arrears at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Ababio, believing their claims, handed over the money in the presence of witnesses. However, after receiving the funds, the accused failed to fulfill their promise and subsequently avoided the complainant.

Court Proceedings

Okuley, who was earlier arrested, pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretenses, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

He was granted bail set at GH¢1 million, with two sureties—one of whom must be an immediate family member and both earning at least GH¢5,000 per month.

The court also ordered him to deposit his passport at the registry until the case is concluded.

The presiding judge adjourned the case to February 3, 2025.

Meanwhile, police are still searching for Amoah, who remains at large.

Investigations

Chief Inspector Teye-Okuffo, the prosecutor, told the court that Ababio had come into contact with the accused before June 2024.

The accused reportedly convinced him that Amoah, leveraging his political ties, could settle his GRA debts if he provided GH¢800,000.

However, after receiving the funds, the accused failed to deliver on their promise. On December 28, 2024 Ababio, realising he had been deceived reported the matter to the police.

Okuley was arrested the same day and reportedly admitted in a caution statement that he and Amoah had taken the money.

He further disclosed that Amoah took GH¢650,000 of the amount but failed to settle the tax arrears. Investigations revealed that the funds were used for personal political activities instead.

As police continue their search for Amoah, the court’s latest directive ensures that Okuley must now account for his absence before proceedings resume.

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