This case revolves around an alleged elaborate fraud scheme orchestrated by Nurudeen Abdul Ganew, a 40-year-old businessman, and his two brothers, Nurudeen Rashid and Nurudeen Gafaru. Ganew is accused of impersonating Professor Joshua Alabi, a prominent figure in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to deceive Hakeem Addae, a Council of State member and NDC Constituency Chairman. The alleged impersonation was part of a larger scheme to defraud Mr. Addae of GH¢60,000 under the pretense of facilitating the purchase of auctioned vehicles, including a Toyota Land Cruiser and several trucks. This fraudulent activity led to Ganew’s arrest and subsequent charges of impersonation and defrauding by false pretences. His brothers, Rashid and Gafaru, were also apprehended and charged with conspiracy to commit crime. All three accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The alleged fraud began on March 3rd when Ganew, posing as a Ghana Revenue Authority official, contacted Mr. Addae with the proposition of acquiring auctioned vehicles at a favorable price. This contact leveraged the assumed identity of Professor Alabi to establish trust and credibility with Mr. Addae, a fellow NDC member. Ganew’s impersonation successfully convinced Mr. Addae of the legitimacy of the offer, leading him to part with GH¢60,000 under the belief that he was securing a advantageous deal on the vehicles. This deceptive act forms the core of the prosecution’s case against Ganew.
Following the report of the alleged fraud, law enforcement agencies initiated an investigation which culminated in Ganew’s arrest at his residence in Wa. During the search of his premises, authorities recovered several items including four identification cards, three pen drives, four mobile phones, and GH¢14,896 in cash. These items are considered potential evidence in the case and suggest a level of preparedness and organization in Ganew’s alleged fraudulent activities. The recovery of multiple identification cards, in particular, raises suspicions of other potential impersonations and victims.
The investigation subsequently led law enforcement to Ganew’s brothers, Rashid and Gafaru, who were apprehended in Wenchi. A search of their premises yielded further incriminating evidence, including 12 mobile phones, numerous SIM cards, and a comprehensive list of political party executives across all 16 regions of Ghana. This discovery points towards a potentially wider network of intended targets for the alleged fraud scheme. The meticulously compiled list suggests a systematic approach to identifying and targeting individuals in positions of influence within the political landscape, possibly exploiting their trust and connections.
The prosecution alleges that the three brothers operated as a syndicate, with Ganew playing the lead role in establishing contact with potential victims, leveraging impersonation to gain their confidence. His brothers, Rashid and Gafaru, are believed to have facilitated the movement of the fraudulently obtained funds through mobile money transactions across various locations including Wa, Wenchi, Sunyani, Techiman, Koforidua, and Accra. This distribution of responsibilities suggests a well-coordinated effort to conceal the origin and flow of the illicitly acquired funds.
The case currently awaits further proceedings in the Accra Circuit Court. Each of the accused persons has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢150,000 with three sureties. The case has been adjourned to July 21, 2025, providing time for both the prosecution and the defense to gather evidence and prepare their arguments. The court proceedings will ultimately determine the veracity of the allegations and the culpability of the accused brothers in the alleged fraud scheme. The significant amount of money involved, the high-profile nature of the alleged victim, and the potential involvement of a wider network of individuals underscore the seriousness of the case and its potential implications.
