Businessman charged with defrauding Chinese national of over GH¢1.1 million, US$1,900

A Ghanaian businessman, Abdul Hayyu Oudou, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a Chinese national of GH¢1,141,510 and US$1,900.

Oudou who pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences, was granted bail in the sum of GH¢2 million with four sureties, three of whom must be gainfully employed.

The court, presided over by Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, also ordered him to deposit his passport at the Court's Registry.

Oudou is expected to reappear on August 12, 2025, while prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Ebenezer Teye Okuffo, files disclosures.

According to the prosecution, the complainant, Gao Yao, a Chinese businessman residing in Ghana, contacted suppliers in China and Singapore in May 2023 to procure oil and painting materials.

Oudou, who operates a forex business at Rawlings Park, Accra, allegedly advised the complainant to hand over the funds to him for onward transfer to Sinopec Lubricant Singapore PTE Ltd. and Shanghai Janhong New Material Technology Co. Ltd.

On May 17, 2023, Oudou reportedly received GH¢1,141,510 and US$1,900 from Gao Yao and later presented swift receipts indicating that payments had been made through Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana Ltd.

However, the complainant later discovered that the suppliers had not received the funds.

Further checks revealed that the swift receipts were not genuine, prompting a police report and Oudou's subsequent arrest.

During investigations, Oudou claimed he had handed the money to an individual known only as “Frank” to process the payments and had received the receipts from him.

He was, however, unable to assist police in locating or identifying Frank.

GNA