Self-styled businessman on GH¢350,000.00 bail over alleged car fraud

Samed Shaibu, a self-styled businessman accused of a US$35,000 car fraud, has been granted GH¢350,000.00 bail by an Accra Circuit Court. Shaibu denied accepting money from the complainant, Kailanani Suraji, under the pretext of providing him with a Honda CRV 2018 model vehicle.

He was directed by the court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Oheneba Kuffour, to appear on June 4, 2024.

The police are searching for Derrick Morgan, who is suspected to be his accomplice and is currently on the run.

According to Police Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori-Appiah, the complainant is a student based in both the United States of America and Ghana, while the accused, Shaibu, is a self-styled businessman residing in Kwabenya.

In October 2023, the complainant, intending to enter the automobile business but lacking a bidding license, contacted a witness who introduced him to the accused.

The prosecution stated that the complainant and the accused had extensive discussions about the business before the complainant expressed his need for a Honda CRV 2018. The accused then charged US$35,000 to bid on the car for the complainant.

The court heard that the accused provided an address for the money to be sent via mail, which the complainant did. Shaibu also promised to refund the funds if he failed to receive the money at the provided address.

However, after three weeks without a response from the accused and all attempts to contact him failing, the complainant filed a formal complaint with the police on December 21, 2023. This led to the arrest of the accused, who initially denied Morgan was his accomplice.

During interrogation, Shaibu admitted that Morgan was his accomplice but claimed he was afraid because Morgan had warned him not to implicate him in the case.

Shaibu confessed to the offense and offered to leave his unregistered 2019 Honda Pilot at the police station until he refunded the US$35,000. On January 17, 2024, Shaibu refunded GH¢30,000.00 but was unable to assist the police in arresting his accomplice.

Shaibu was then charged with the offense as efforts continued to apprehend Morgan to aid the investigation.