A 28-year-old importer, Emmanuel Kofi Dawu, has been remanded into police custody over allegations that he defrauded a businessman of GH¢124,400 under the pretext of importing vehicles, motorbikes and other goods from abroad.

Dawu appeared before the court, presided over by Her Honour Lawrencia Awura Abena Darkowaa Gyamfi, and pleaded not guilty to five counts of defrauding by false pretences, contrary to Section 131 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The court remanded him into police custody until October 9, 2026.

The complainant, Emmanuel Eharu, a businessman and Resident of Amasaman, is said to have been introduced to Dawu by a mutual friend, Stephen Zokli, in January 2026.

According to the prosecution, Dawu presented himself as an importer and after initially completing some mobile phone and Royal motorbike transactions successfully, he gained Eharu’s trust.

The prosecution said Dawu subsequently collected various amounts from Eharu, totalling GH¢124,400, allegedly to import goods from abroad.

The items allegedly included three vehicles, three Yamaha motorbikes, 1,500 bags of 50kg potassium chemicals, three LG LED television sets and two laptops.

The charge sheet indicates that GH¢66,000 was allegedly obtained in April 2026 for the importation of a Ford F150 Raptor, RAM 1500 and Mercedes-Benz C300 from the United States.

A further GH¢25,000 was allegedly obtained in February 2026 for three Yamaha motorbikes from India, while GH¢20,000 was allegedly collected in March 2026 for two LG LED television sets from the United States.

The prosecution further alleged that Dawu collected GH¢11,000 in February 2026 for 1,500 bags of 50kg potassium from India.

Under the fifth count, he is accused of obtaining GH¢2,400 in March 2026 under the pretext of importing another item from the United States.

The prosecution said after receiving the money, Dawu failed to deliver the items and subsequently began avoiding the complainant. He allegedly relocated from his known residence and went into hiding.

The matter was reported to the Operations Unit of the CID Headquarters on September 29, 2026, leading to investigations.

According to the prosecution, Dawu was tracked and arrested at his hideout at Sowutuom on October 3, 2026.

It said that in his investigation caution statement to the police, Dawu admitted the offence and claimed that he had encountered difficulties with his “white friends” abroad.

Following investigations, he was charged with the offences and arraigned before the court.

The prosecution was led by DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye.