Nigerian Trader Remanded Over GH¢150,000 House Sale Scam

The Circuit Court in Accra has admitted a 40-year-old businessman, Kelvin Ibrahim Okoro, to GH¢160,000 bail over allegations of defrauding a real estate developer of GH¢150,000 under the pretext of purchasing a US$800,000 house at East Legon.

Kelvin Okoro, a Nigerian national, has been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Sections 23(1) and 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). He pleaded not guilty to both counts.

He appeared in court alongside the complainant and was represented by Raymond Felli Esq, holding brief for Yaw DankwaEsq.

The state was represented by Insp. Peprah and C/Insp. Christopher Wonder.

The accused was initially remanded, but his Counsel renewed an application for bail, arguing that Kelvin Okoro was married with a dependent child, both present on the court premises.

Counsel further noted that Kelvin Okoro, a trader, resided within the court’s jurisdiction and had strong social and economic ties locally.

He argued that Kelvin Okoro presented no flight risk, would not interfere with investigations or prosecution witnesses and had credible persons willing to stand as sureties. He also pointed out that the accused had been in custody for more than 48 hours.

The prosecution, however, opposed the application, insisting that investigations were still ongoing.

Prosecutors argued that Kelvin Okoro, a Nigerian from Abia State, had mentioned three accomplices, Hajia Binta, Amegashie and Eric, all of whom are at large and feared he could interfere with efforts to apprehend them.

They (prosecution) also indicated that the legitimacy of Kelvin Okoro’s stay in Ghana was yet to be confirmed.

Defence Counsel pushed back, describing the prosecution’s position as discriminatory and insisting that foreign nationality alone could not be grounds to deny bail.

Court Decision

Her Ladyship Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, sitting with additional duty as a Circuit Court judge, initially declined the bail request, ordering that the accused be remanded, pursuant to Section 96(5)(b) of Act 30 to allow for expedited investigations.

The court further directed the prosecution to file disclosures and witness statements ahead of the Case Management Conference scheduled for November 3, 2025.

However, on November 12, 2025 the court varied its earlier decision and granted Kelvin Okoro bail, in the sum of GH¢160,000, with two sureties, both to be justified. Okoro is to deposit his Ghana Card at the court registry and report to the police once every two weeks.

The case has been adjourned to December 5, 2025.

Background of the Case

Brief facts presented in court indicated that the complainant, SeiduSitafa, a businessman and real estate developer at East Legon, was approached on October 11, 2025 by Kelvin Okoro and one HajiaBinta, who claimed they were acting on behalf of a Gabonese minister interested in purchasing a house.

Sitafa offered the property at US$800,000 and both parties agreed on the price.

On October 15, 2025 Okoro called the complainant and invited him to Anyaa to finalise the transaction.

Upon arrival, Sitafa met Okoro and two accomplices, Amegashie and Eric, who presented a sealed box purportedly containing the payment from Gabon.

The group allegedly claimed that the driver, who transported the funds had incurred expenses totalling GH¢150,000 – which had to be settled before releasing the dollars.

Believing the explanation, Sitafa paid the GH¢150,000.

Shortly afterward, he sensed the transaction was fraudulent and returned to the scene, only to find that the accomplices had absconded with both the money and the supposed cash box.

With the help of his driver, the complainant arrested Okoro and handed him over to the police. During interrogation, Okoro reportedly admitted to the offences and named his accomplices. Police investigations are ongoing to apprehend them.

 

 

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