In a significant development at the Circuit Court 8 in Accra, presided over by His Honour Jojo Amoah Hagan, a bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 50-year-old businessman, Kweku Aboagye. The warrant was issued following his failure to appear in court to respond to charges of forgery of documents and defrauding by false pretences.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Nego Dzigbordi, brought the accused’s absence to the attention of the court during proceedings on Monday. In response, the judge not only issued the bench warrant but also directed that amendments be made to the first charge before the next court sitting. The case has been adjourned to November 4, 2025.
The Charges Against Kweku Aboagye
Aboagye faces two charges under Ghana’s Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). On the first count, he is accused of forgery of documents, contrary to Section 159(a) of the Act. The prosecution alleges that on July 26, 2022, at Zongo Junction in Accra, Aboagye forged a Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division allocation letter. The original document was reportedly issued to one Akwesi Agyei, but Aboagye allegedly superimposed his own name onto it with the intent to defraud.
The second count involves defrauding by false pretences, contrary to Section 131 of Act 29. According to the prosecution, in August 2022, Aboagye fraudulently obtained GH¢85,000 from Akwesi Agyei under the pretext of securing an auctioned Mercedes Benz vehicle from the GRA.
Case Details: How the Alleged Fraud Unfolded
The case centers on a series of events involving the complainant, Akwesi Agyei, a trader residing at Mallam. Agyei was introduced to Aboagye through a mutual acquaintance, Tanu, after Aboagye claimed to have direct connections with auctioneers at the GRA who could facilitate the purchase of auctioned vehicles.
Acting on behalf of an interested friend, Agyei met with Aboagye at Tema Harbour. During this meeting, Aboagye allegedly pointed out a Mercedes Benz C300 and claimed it was available for purchase through his contacts. The two parties agreed on a price of GH¢85,000, which was paid in two instalments—GH¢41,000 and GH¢44,000—through Tanu.
Aboagye subsequently provided what he claimed was an official GRA allocation letter and promised delivery of the vehicle within days. However, after receiving full payment, he failed to deliver the car or issue a refund.
Investigation Findings
Investigations into the matter revealed that the purported GRA allocation letter was fraudulent. The GRA Customs Division confirmed that the document did not originate from their office. Additionally, the customs officer to whom Aboagye claimed to have handed over the money could not be traced.
Further investigations uncovered allegations that Aboagye had defrauded several other individuals using similar tactics. While he reportedly admitted to receiving the money and requested one month to refund it, he has failed to fulfill this promise since 2022.
Next Steps
The case has been adjourned to November 4, 2025, when the amended charge against Aboagye is expected to be presented. In the meantime, the bench warrant issued by the court underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the need for Aboagye’s appearance before the court.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence in financial transactions and highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and judicial authorities to address fraud and forgery in Ghana.
-GhanaCrimes
