Farmer in court for allegedly defrauding doctor of GH¢7.4m
The accused, 44-year-old Dennis Mawuli Kwame Bedi, is alleged to have tricked Dr. Manye Mensah Awuku Dzifah into paying huge sums over a decade, promising to deliver 1,300 acres of land at Dabala in the Volta Region and to arrange U.S. visas for the doctor’s family.
A farmer accused of masterminding a multimillion-cedi scam has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court, charged with swindling a medical doctor out of more than GH¢7.4 million.
The accused, 44-year-old Dennis Mawuli Kwame Bedi, is alleged to have tricked Dr. Manye Mensah Awuku Dzifah into paying huge sums over a decade, promising to deliver 1,300 acres of land at Dabala in the Volta Region and to arrange U.S. visas for the doctor’s family.
Bedi, however, has pleaded not guilty to four charges, including defrauding by false pretence and forging documents. He has been released on a GH¢6 million bail with four sureties and ordered to report regularly to investigators while the case proceeds.
Court documents outline how Bedi befriended the complainant back in 2015 and presented himself as well-connected in land transactions. He allegedly introduced the doctor to three families he claimed owned the Dabala land and produced receipts and indentures to prove the legitimacy of the deal.
Investigators say those receipts—bearing the names of the Torgbui Kwakuvi Lu and Torgbui Degenu families—were forged. Bedi is also accused of convincing the complainant to make additional payments for “court settlements,” documentation, fuel, legal fees, and government approvals.
In one instance, prosecutors allege, Bedi told the doctor that Japanese investors were ready to buy the land for $540 million, a story designed to keep the money flowing.
By 2025, the complainant had allegedly paid out more than GH¢7.4 million with nothing to show for it. A separate sum of GH¢230,000 was also paid to Bedi, supposedly to facilitate U.S. visas.
Given the scale of the alleged fraud, the Attorney-General’s Department has taken over the case from police prosecutors. Assistant State Attorney Kwadwo Kunadu Asiamah is now leading the state’s case, replacing Chief Inspector Daniel Appiah-Ofori.
The court, presided over by Her Honour Sedinam Awo Kwadam, first heard the matter in August. The case is due back in court next month for further proceedings.
Meanwhile, investigators revealed that Bedi has faced similar allegations in Kibi, raising suspicions of a broader pattern of fraudulent activity.
If convicted, he could serve a lengthy prison term under Ghana’s criminal laws on fraud and forgery.
