Printer slapped with GH¢50,000 bail over alleged Visa scam

Court News

Judge Ellen Ofei-Ayeh of Circuit Court 7 in Accra has granted bail. The bail amount is GH¢50,000 for John Nyarko, a 40-year-old printer. He is accused of defrauding another printer of GH¢40,000. This was under the pretense of securing a Canadian Visa.

John Nyarko pleaded not guilty to the charge. This charge falls under Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29). He must execute the bail with two ordinary citizens as sureties. The court has scheduled further proceedings for May 28, 2025.

Chief Inspector Ofori Appiah is prosecuting the case. He informed the court about the complainant, Wisdom Batcho Idogna. Wisdom is also a printer and lives in Sowutuom. He has known John Nyarko for some time; Nyarko resides in Kotobabi.

In June 2024, John convinced Wisdom that he could help him get a Visa. He claimed a friend in Canada needed GH¢40,000 to assist with this process. Despite Wisdom's request for direct contact with this friend, Nyarko refused it. He insisted all dealings should go through him.

Wisdom handed over the full amount in two installments of GH¢20,000 each. Afterward, John directed him to complete a police background check and medical exam. This created an impression of a legitimate Visa process.

When two weeks passed without updates or progress, Wisdom demanded a refund from John. In response, John issued a cheque for GH¢44,000 from National Investment Bank dated April 17, 2025. However, when Wisdom tried to cash it, he learned only John could do so.

After waiting at the bank for hours without help, Wisdom lured John to a police station and had him arrested. So far, John has refunded GH¢2,000 in court but still owes GH¢38,000.

The court will resume hearing on May 28, 2025.