Ghanaian businessman bailed GHC 2M for allegedly defrauding Chinese trader

A Ghanaian businessman, Abdul Hayyu Oudou, has been brought before the Accra Circuit Court over claims that he deceived a Chinese national into parting with GH₵1,141,510 and US$1,900.

Oudou, facing a charge of obtaining money by false pretence, denied wrongdoing when the case was called. The court, presided over by Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, granted him bail of GH₵2 million with four sureties, three of whom must be in formal employment. As part of the bail conditions, he was also ordered to lodge his passport with the court registry. The matter has been adjourned to August 12, 2025, while the prosecution prepares its evidence.

Chief Inspector Ebenezer Teye Okuffo, leading the prosecution, told the court that the complainant, Gao Yao a Chinese trader living in Ghana sought in May 2023 to buy oil and paint products from companies in China and Singapore. 

Oudou, who operates a currency exchange outlet at Rawlings Park in Accra, allegedly persuaded Gao Yao to give him the funds so he could forward them to Sinopec Lubricant Singapore PTE Ltd. and Shanghai Janhong New Material Technology Co. Ltd.

On May 17, 2023, Gao Yao allegedly transferred the money to Oudou, who later produced documents appearing to be swift payment receipts issued by Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana Ltd. These suggested the payments had been made. 

However, the suppliers reported they never received the funds. An investigation revealed the receipts were fake, prompting a complaint to the police and Oudou’s arrest.

In his statement to investigators, Oudou claimed he had entrusted the money to someone known only as “Frank” to process the transfers and had received the receipts from him. He was, however, unable to help authorities trace or identify this individual.