Businessman Declared Wanted Amid $16,000 Bolivian Visa Scam Trial
- A circuit court in Accra issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Prince Nuhu Ahmed during a fraud trial
- He failed to appear before the court on Monday in connection with a case of defrauding by false pretence
- The suspect allegedly defrauded two businessmen, who were seeking a Bolivian visa, out of $16,000
A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of Ghanaian entrepreneur for missing his court appearance in a fraud trial.
The court in Accra ordered that 50-year-old Prince Nuhu Ahmed be brought before it on September 11, 2025.
Source: Getty Images
The Chronicle reported that Ahmed is facing two counts of defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The case dates back to May 9, 2023, when he allegedly defrauded two businessmen, Alhaji Umar Farouk and Alhaji Yakubu, of $16,000 for the purported Bolivian visas for their children.
In the first count, Ahmed is alleged to have taken US$10,500 from Farouk, claiming he could procure Bolivian visas for his two sons.
In the second count, he is accused of taking US$5,500 from Yakubu with a similar promise for the businessman's son.
Police were involved in February 2024 after a report from the victims, leading to Ahmed’s arrest.
During the course of investigations, he refunded GH¢28,000 to the victims.
Source: Getty Images
What is a bench warrant?
A bench warrant is a legal order issued by a judge or court to tell law enforcement to arrest an individual.
It is usually issued when someone fails to appear in court as required.
It can also be issued when one violates the conditions of their bail or probation. Understanding what a bench warrant means if one is issued for you is important.
A bench warrant is issued directly from the judge’s bench, hence the name, unlike an arrest warrant.
Like in the Bolivian visa fraud case, one common reason for a bench warrant is failing to appear in court for a scheduled hearing, such as a trial, arraignment, or other legal proceedings.
Recently, Deborah Seyram Adablah was sentenced to prison on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, following a bench warrant for her arrest over contempt charges.
She reported herself to the Ghana Police Service to serve the 45-day jail term after the Accra High Court issued a bench warrant for her immediate arrest on May 5, 2025. She has since been released.
The socialite's 45-day jail term was linked to a lawsuit she filed against her former boss and bank executive, Ernest Kwasi Nimako, with whom she was involved in a secret affair during her years as a national service person at the bank.
Jubilee House operative arrested over recruitment scam
YEN.com.gh previously reported that a purported National Security operative at Jubilee House was accused of GH¢1 million recruitment fraud.
The suspect, identified as Joseph Agemba, was also accused of visa fraud and defrauding someone trying to buy a car and was duly arrested.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
