A 40-year-old businessman accused of impersonating President John Mahama’s Executive Secretary in order to swindle a traditional ruler has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court.
Nurudeen Abdul Ganew is alleged to have collected GHS 50,000 from Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, the Paramount Chief of Abeadze Traditional Area and Vice President of the National House of Chiefs, under the pretext of procuring an auctioned Toyota Land Cruiser, but failed.
Ganew, an ex-convict, whose plea was not taken, is facing charges of impersonation, defrauding by false pretences, and money laundering.
He is expected to reappear on July 7, 2025
The Prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jacob Kuubal, prayed the court to preserve the plea of the accused as investigations were underway.
The facts before the court are that the complainant, Daasebre Ewusi, is a friend to Dr Callistus Mahama, the Executive Secretary to the President of the Republic.
The accused person, Ganew, was a businessman and an ex-convict, who resided at Wa and Wenchi.
On April 24, 2025, Ganew contacted the complainant on phone (number 0552168220) and introduced himself as Dr Callistus Mahama.
The chief enquired why the accused was using a different contact number to call him, to which Ganew replied that it was to avoid people from disturbing him on his other number, hence the switch to the new contact.
The complainant was convinced of Ganew being Dr Callistus Mahama because their voices sounded similar.
Ganew informed the chief about some vehicles to be auctioned, of which one Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 had been allocated to him (accused), and wanted to know if the chief was interested.
Ganew said the vehicle costed GHS165,000.00.
The chief said he could afford GH¢50,000.00, which Ganew agreed and referred him to one Alhaji Haruna (on phone number 0599268547) whom he claimed worked with the Customs Division of the GRA for payment and documentation.
The chief contacted the said Alhaji Haruna, who directed him to pay GHS 30,000.00 and GHS20,000 through two different MTN Mobile numbers.
The complainant transferred GHS50,000.00 from his Zenith Bank account to the two MTN numbers, after which ‘Alhaji Haruna’ confirmed receipt.
‘Alhaji Haruna’ told the complainant to forward his Ghana card and address for preparation of the vehicle documents, to which he complied.
The accused again informed the complainant of a Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 and Toyota Prado vehicles available for auctioning and that if any of his colleagues were interested, he should let him know.
The complainant informed his colleague chiefs; Osagyefo Amanfo Edu and Obrempong Nyanful Krampah XI, who showed interest in buying the two vehicles.
Ganew gave the prices as GHS165,000.00 and GHS133,000.00 for the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Toyota Prado, respectively, saying he would not reduce the cost as he did for the first car.
The complainant’s colleagues agreed to buy and sent the money to the accused through different Mobile Money numbers.
After receipt of all the monies, Ganew switched off his phone, making it difficult for the complainant to reach him on several attempts.
The complainant then decided to call Dr Callistus Mahama on his old contact number, which he had saved on his phone.
Dr Callistus Mahama, after listening to the chief, told him he was not the one he communicated with on phone number 0552168220 and denied ownership of that number.
The chief reported the case to the National Intelligence Bureau Headquarters, Accra, for investigations.
It was established during investigations that Ganew was the user of both MTN numbers 0552168220 and 0599268547, which he deceived the chief into believing that it was Dr Callistus Mahama and Alhaji Haruna, respectively.
The accused person was tracked and arrested at his house in Wa, the Upper West Regional capital, where a search was conducted and four phones were found.
When he was interrogated and cautioned, he admitted the offence. Investigations are ongoing.
GNA