Court grants travel consultant bail over alleged Nicaraguan visa fraud

The Accra Circuit Court Nine has granted a travel consultant GH¢100,000 bail with two sureties for allegedly defrauding a tour operator of $15,000.00. 

Margius Adjei, 47, is accused of taking the money, equivalent to GH¢225,000, from a travel and tour owner under the guise of obtaining Nicaraguan visas for his clients. 

Mr Adjei pleaded guilty with an explanation of defrauding by false pretence, but his explanation resulted in a not guilty plea. 

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Raymond Ackom told the court that the complainant, Arahman Bashiru, is the Chief Executive Officer of Rashman Travel and Tours and lives in Madina. 

In May 2023, Bashiru contacted a witness to secure travel documents for his clients, who also linked Mr Adjei to him.  

ASP Ackom said that after a conversation, Mr Adjei promised to secure Nicaraguan visas for 20 of Bashiru’s clients within three months. 

Bashiru became convinced and gave Adjei USD15,000 to obtain the required documents for his clients.   

The prosecution said Adjei failed to fulfil his part of the deal after receiving the money and went into hiding, compelling Bashiru to petition the Director of the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigative Department, resulting in his arrest. 

ASP Ackom said Adjei admitted collecting GH¢225,000 from Bashiru and refunded GH¢30,000.

After investigations, Mr Adjei was arraigned.