Staff on contract with Customs Division of GRA remanded over recruitment fraud

A staff member on contract with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has been remanded into police custody by the Kaneshie District Court over alleged job scam.

Basil Heward-Mills is alleged to have collected various sums of money totaling GH¢130,400 from 15 individuals under the pretext of securing jobs for them at the Customs Division through his connections with top officials.

Charged with 15 counts of defrauding by false pretences, Heward-Mills pleaded not guilty.

The court remanded him into lawful custody to reappear on September 8, 2025.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Apewah Achana, earlier informed the court that the police were investigating the matter because more individuals were lodging complaints.

Prosecution said between July 2024 to August 2025, the accused, with intent to defraud, approached the complainants, individually, and introduced himself as a Customs officer with closed links with senior officers in the Service and promised to secure recruitment slots for them.

Based on that, the accused succeeded in obtaining cash payments ranging from GH¢5,000 to GH¢23,000 and instructed the victims to provide their personal documents including birth certificates, school certificates and drivers’ license to facilitate the recruitment process.

Prosecution said the accused person took a total amount of GH¢130,400 from the complainants at different times and dates, claiming it was for “protocol arrangements” without issuing them with receipts or recruitment forms.

After collecting the money, the accused failed to secure jobs for the complainants as promised.

They made several attempts to retrieve their monies, but the accused persons gave several excuses.

The complainants reported the matter to the police at James Town and the accused person was arrested for investigations.

During investigations, the accused person admitted taking monies from the complainants, adding that he gave part of it to one senior officer (name withheld) to facilitate the process.

“Efforts are still underway to invite the said senior officer to assist in investigation,” prosecution said.

Source: GNA

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