Trader Remanded for Faking Robbery After Allegedly Stealing US$60,000

Two traders, Mustapha Mohammed and Dauda Mohammed, have been arraigned before the Dansoman Circuit Court over allegations of stealing US$60,000 that was entrusted to them for business purposes.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing, abetment of crime, and deceiving a public officer during a court session held on June 4, 2025.

The presiding judge, Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, ordered the accused to be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case to June 16, 2025.

Chief Inspector Kwadwo Aboagye, prosecuting, told the court that on May 22, 2025, the complainant, Hassan Muntari, a businessman based in Awoshie, handed over US$60,000 to the first accused, Mustapha Mohammed, under the impression that it was to be delivered to a contractor in Achimota. The amount was to be returned in Ghana cedi equivalent (GH¢720,000.00).

According to the prosecution, Mustapha claimed the contractor needed the funds urgently. However, after receiving the money around midday at Okaishie, Mustapha failed to return as agreed.

Repeated attempts by the complainant to reach him were unsuccessful. Later, Mustapha claimed he had been robbed by four men on two motorbikes and was receiving treatment at Achimota Hospital.

When questioned by police at the Achimota School Police Station, Mustapha alleged the robbery took place around 6:30 p.m. on the same day. However, further investigations revealed inconsistencies in his account. An itemised phone bill showed he had not been at Achimota as claimed. Nearby hawkers also denied witnessing any robbery.

Further investigation led to the arrest of the second accused, Dauda Mohammed, who confessed to involving Mustapha in the scheme. Dauda claimed he needed the money to clear goods at the Tema Harbour and had promised to return it with interest after selling the items.

However, Dauda and another accomplice, Zakaru Musah (currently at large), allegedly took the money to a spiritualist known only as “Mallam” (also at large), claiming the Mallam could “double” the money. Both Zakaru and the Mallam disappeared with the cash.

After realising they had been duped, Dauda reportedly advised Mustapha to fake a robbery. Mustapha then inflicted an injury on himself and went to the hospital before filing a false report to the police.

Mustapha now faces three charges: stealing under Section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, abetment of crime, and deceiving a public officer under Section 251 of the same Act. Dauda is charged with abetment of crime.

The police are continuing investigations and efforts are underway to apprehend Zakaru Musah and the Mallam, both of whom remain at large.

The post Trader Remanded for Faking Robbery After Allegedly Stealing US$60,000 appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story