Three individuals, including a legal practitioner, have been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court over an alleged GH¢800,000 excavator fraud scheme targeting a businessman.
The accused are Divine Effah-Dartey, 34, a lawyer; Mawuli Awadzi Amenyo, 49, a carpenter; and Jiang Tao, a warehouse manager.
A fourth suspect, Rishan Mahanta, remains at large and faces an additional charge of forgery.
The prosecution alleges that the group conspired to defraud businessman, Kofi Boateng of Asankragwa in September 2025.
Amenyo and Mahanta reportedly presented themselves as owners of excavators housed at the premises of Caitec Delta Limited in Accra.
Jiang Tao is accused of facilitating access to the site for a fraudulent inspection.
Following the inspection, Boateng agreed to purchase a Sany hydraulic excavator valued at GH¢1.7 million and made an upfront payment of GH¢800,000.
The funds were allegedly handed to lawyer Divine Effah-Dartey at a Kaneshie law firm, where he issued a receipt and a forged Import Declaration Form purportedly from the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Amenyo and Mahanta subsequently disappeared, prompting the victim to alert authorities.
Investigations revealed the excavators were not lawfully owned by the sellers.
The court has therefore charged Divine Effah-Darteywith abetment of defrauding by false pretences. He pleaded not guilty and was granted police enquiry bail.
Mawuli Awadzi Amenyo was charged with conspiracy and defrauding by false pretences. He also pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of GH¢400,000 with two sureties.
The third person, Jiang Tao was charged with abetment and was admitted to police enquiry bail.
Presiding Judge, Evelyn Asamoah adjourned the case to January 23, 2026, as police continue their manhunt for the fugitive suspect, Rishan Mahanta.
