An Accra Circuit Court has remanded a 43-year-old man, Mahama Sani Razak, for allegedly impersonating a military officer to defraud a businessman of GH¢192,000.
The accused, who also used the alias Major Zack Gariba Tanko, pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding Mr. Lambon Justice Iddrisu by falsely promising to deploy soldiers to protect the complainant’s land from trespassers.
Presided over by Circuit Court Eleven, the court ordered Razak to be held in custody until his next appearance on February 10, 2026.
The court also directed that the accused, who appeared on crutches, be taken for a medical examination following his claims of sustaining injuries during arrest.
Presenting the facts of the case, Police Chief Inspector Ebenezer Teye-Okuffo explained that the complainant, a businessman from North Legon, owns land at Kwabenya.
In March 2025, Razak allegedly introduced himself as a military officer and later took the complainant to Burma Camp, where he posed as a Major stationed with the Military Police.
After learning that the complainant was being harassed by land guards, Razak claimed he could authorize junior officers to provide security.
Trusting this representation, the complainant transferred GH¢192,000 through three MTN Mobile Money numbers provided by the accused.
Upon receiving the payment, Razak allegedly failed to provide any security services and subsequently went into hiding. Investigations later confirmed that he was not a member of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The prosecution revealed that Razak was initially arraigned on July 8, 2025, and granted bail. However, after meeting his bail conditions, he absconded, leading to the case being struck out on November 4, 2025.
In January 2026, the Accra Regional Police Command received information that Razak had been arrested at Akuse in the Eastern Region for a similar offence, leading to the filing of a new charge sheet.
The accused’s lawyer, Mr. Theophilus Donkor, applied for bail, stating that Razak is a businessman with two shops and three properties at East Legon, and is married to four women, three of whom are serving police officers.
He emphasized his client’s right to presumed innocence and need for medical attention.
The prosecution strongly opposed bail, describing Razak as a fugitive who is likely to abscond again if released.
