By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Two Nigerian nationals have been granted a combined bail sum of GH¢2 million by the Accra Circuit Court after being accused of defrauding an American and a Canadian of $715,000 in a sophisticated online scheme.
The accused persons Solomon David King and Kingsley Okokon Etuk, both aged 48 , pleaded not guilty to four counts including conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretences, and money laundering.
Presiding judge Susana Eduful admitted them to bail with two sureties each, who are required to justify with title deeds. The case has been adjourned to November 3, 2025.
The prosecution, led by DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye, told the court that between 2020 and 2025, the accused convinced their victims online that they could help them acquire and ship a consignment of goods valued at over $12 million.
Believing the representations, the victims allegedly made several payments through money transfers and intermediaries in the USA and Togo. They were later lured to Togo under the pretext of collecting the consignment, where they parted with additional funds, only to later discover that the consignment did not exist.
DSP Nyamekye said the matter came to light when the victims reported their ordeal to a fellow Nigerian, Victor Efiong, based in Accra, who then informed the police.
Investigators allege that part of the proceeds was used to acquire personal assets. King is said to have purchased a Hyundai Elantra, while Etuk allegedly bought a Toyota Camry and a five-hectare farm at Suhum in the Eastern Region.
Digital devices retrieved from the accused have been submitted for forensic analysis as part of ongoing investigations.
