A court in Accra has granted former Ghana Black Stars midfielder Samuel Inkoom GHC 100,000 bail with two sureties in connection with claims of visa fraud.

The court, which was presided over by Mrs. Susana Eduful, mandated that each surety earn at least GHC5,000 per month. Additionally, Inkoom has been instructed to submit a passport-sized photo to the court registry.

The football player is charged with stealing $4,000 from Madam Elizabeth Atarime Mboh Awuni while claiming to have secured a U.S. visa for her client. However, Inkoom has refuted the claims.

He is expected to make another court appearance on January 22, 2025.

Context

Presenting the case's facts, Police Chief Inspector Tetteh Boafo said that the complainants, a public servant named Madam Abigail Owusu and an entrepreneur named Madam Awuni, both live in Oyarifa, Accra. The accused, Inkoom, lives in the Western Region's Sekondi Takoradi.

While assessing young football players at Achimota in December 2023, Madam Awuni met Inkoom. Inkoom told them he was also in the travel and tour business and that he could get visas to the United States and Canada for $4,000 in six weeks.

Madam Awuni paid $4,000 for her client's visa after becoming convinced by his statements. Likewise, Madam Owusu paid $2,000 for the same reason after meeting Inkoom separately.

Claims

According to reports, Inkoom went into hiding after failing to produce the visas within the six to eight-week window that was promised. The complainants called the police because they believed there had been foul play.

Inkoom acknowledged receiving the money when questioned, but he said he sent it to a U.S. associate to help with the visa application process.

He did not, however, offer any proof of this collaboration, so the police dismissed his assertions.

Subsequent inquiries showed that Inkoom had made up the scheme to deceive the victims and had no such partner in the US.

Arrest and Recuperation

$2,000 was taken out of Inkoom and given back to Madam Awuni throughout the investigation. The police charged Inkoom and took him to court after finishing their investigations.

The matter has been postponed, and Inkoom is anticipated to make a reappearance on January 22, 2025.