Accra Circuit court acquits two persons for allegedly defrauding businessman
Presiding Judge Mr. Isaac Addo determined that the prosecution had not proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
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An Accra Circuit Court has ruled in favor of two defendants, Silvia Naa Doudu Wristberg and Nicodemus Quarshie, clearing them of charges of defrauding a businessman of GH¢60,380.
Presiding Judge Mr. Isaac Addo determined that the prosecution had not proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, the charges of conspiracy and defrauding by false pretenses were dismissed.
The defendants, Wristberg, who is unemployed, and Quarshie, a radio presenter, faced allegations along with a third individual, Patrick Torto, who remains at large. Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, representing the prosecution, called two witnesses, but the court concluded their testimony was inadequate to support the claims.
Both defendants presented their testimonies during the trial but did not introduce any further witnesses. According to the prosecution, the complainant, Justice Kofi Buah, a travel and tour operator from Spintex, Greater Accra Region, reported the fraud.
The case revolved around events from March 2023, when Buah was allegedly approached by Torto and Quarshie, who identified themselves as protocol officers capable of securing Canadian visas for his clients. Wristberg, claiming to be an aide to Ghana’s First Lady, reportedly reinforced the credibility of their operation.
The defendants were said to have collected GH¢7,764 in visa and work permit fees for 12 individuals, as well as 18 passports, purportedly for visa processing. In total, GH¢60,380 was transferred to Wristberg’s account through cash and mobile payments.
The complainant later received a WhatsApp message on April 24, 2024, stating that the visas had been issued. However, upon visiting the Office of the President Annex at Ridge, Buah discovered that the accused had provided false identities and had no affiliations with official government offices.
Investigations revealed that the accused were on wanted lists of national security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for similar offenses. Wristberg was subsequently arrested in Cape Coast following intelligence leads, but Torto evaded capture. Buah identified Wristberg and Quarshie as the individuals involved in the fraudulent scheme.
