Kumasi-based businessman and road contractor, Michael Opoku Gyebi, has allegedly been defrauded of GH¢12 million by five individuals, including 34-year-old Yahaya Tamimu and Abdul Majid Alhassan, in a fraudulent heavy-duty truck deal. Three of the suspects remain at large.
According to prosecutors, Tamimu first gained Mr. Gyebi’s trust and convinced him that he could facilitate the purchase of 87 Sinotruck HOWO TX 6×4 tipper trucks from Dubai at favourable exchange rates.
Believing the deal would enhance his road construction business, the complainant agreed. However, after transferring funds to the accused, the trucks were never delivered, leading to an investigation.
Tamimu and Alhassan have been charged with abetment to commit a crime – defrauding by false pretences – contrary to Sections 20(1) and 131(1) of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29).
When arraigned before the Kumasi High Court presided over by Justice Anna Taylor, both pleaded not guilty.
They have been remanded into police custody and are set to reappear on March 3, 2025.
How the Scheme Was Orchestrated
Prosecution, led by Detective Chief Inspector Frank Osae, outlined how the alleged fraud unfolded.
In January 2024, Gyebi was introduced to the third accused, Suleman Habib Usman (alias Suleman Dauda, alias Mohammed), who claimed he had access to good exchange rates and could purchase trucks from Dubai.
Following discussions, Gyebi agreed to the deal and was instructed to transfer $4.5 million (GH¢60.65 million) into various accounts.
On March 1, 2024 he transferred GH¢5 million from his Zenith Bank account to the Stanbic Bank account of Tamimu’s company, Tamco Star Enterprise, as part payment.
By August 29, 2024 he had transferred an additional GH¢7 million into the same account, bringing the total to GH¢12 million ($1.8 million).
Further payments made to other accounts linked to the accused are GH¢35 million ($2.68 million) into an account under Abdul Majid Ventures, belonging to Alhassan and GH¢9.65 million ($810,000) into an account under Yabila Global Limited, linked to Yabila Umar Adams, who remains at large.
Despite multiple assurances, Gyebi never received the trucks. Being suspicious, he contacted Sinotruck International in Dubai and discovered that while an order had been placed, no payment had been made.
Efforts to reach Usman proved futile, prompting Gyebi to file a complaint with the Regional CID in Kumasi on November 16, 2024.
Investigations and Arrests
On November 18, 2024 the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) froze the suspects’ accounts.
At the time Tamimu’s account held GH¢1,002,350.01 Alhassan’s account had GH¢410 and Adams’ account contained GH¢105.39.
Tamimu was arrested in Accra on November 26, 2024. He admitted receiving GH¢12 million but claimed he transferred it to the fourth accused, Hafeez Huseini Fuseini, who remains at large.
Alhassan was arrested in Togo on November 27, 2024.
He admitted receiving GH¢35 million but alleged he handed it over to an unknown person sent by Usman.
However, bank statements contradicted their claims, showing that the funds were withdrawn and transferred in a pattern consistent with a coordinated fraud scheme.
Investigators also discovered a GH¢550,000 transfer from Tamimu’s account to Alhassan’s account on July 31, 2024 – despite both men denying any connection.
Although the three suspects are still on the run, authorities continue their search while Tamimu and Alhassan remain in custody. The case resumes in court on March 3, 2025.
