Man in Adenta court over alleged GH¢500,000 ‘auction car’ scam

A man accused of taking GH¢500,000 from a businessman on the promise of securing an auctioned vehicle has been granted bail by an Adenta Circuit Court, according to court proceedings reported by local media.

Bawah Yusif Sarkodie, described by prosecutors as an alleged national security operative, has been charged with defrauding by false pretences. He denied the allegation.

The court set bail at GH¢600,000, with two sureties, and directed him to report to police every Monday. The case has been adjourned to 9 March 2026.

Chief Superintendent Patience Mario told the court the complainant, Charles Amoakoh, runs a car rental business around Adenta Pantang Junction, while Sarkodie is a businessman who lives at West Legon.

Prosecutors alleged that in May 2025, Sarkodie, who had been renting vehicles from Amoakoh, introduced himself as a National Security operative and an official of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and claimed he could help the complainant acquire Toyota Land Cruisers said to have been seized by the state and auctioned at Tema Harbour for GH¢500,000 per vehicle.

They said Sarkodie asked Amoakoh to meet him near the Tema Community 18 Municipal Assembly, claiming he needed the money to facilitate the transaction.

The prosecution said that on 6 May 2025, at about 10:00, the complainant—accompanied by two witnesses—met Sarkodie at the stated location, where Sarkodie allegedly collected the GH¢500,000 in the complainant’s car, saying part of it was required as a “token” to officials to smooth access to the vehicle.

Prosecutors told the court that Sarkodie then entered a building and did not return. They said he switched off his phones and could not be traced.

A complaint was later lodged with the police and Sarkodie was arrested on 11 September 2025, according to the prosecution. Investigators also believe he may be linked to similar alleged scams in Accra, the court heard.