Court orders Gender Determination of Radiologist in visa fraud case

Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, presiding judge at a Circuit Court in Accra, has ordered that the gender of 29-year-old German-based Radiologist, Christabel Suphiar Sarkodie Tuffour, be determined, before the accused is placed in lawful custody. The directive follows an application by Chief Inspector Ramata Asumah, the police prosecutor, during a court hearing on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

The prosecution argued that determining the accused’s gender was necessary to appropriately place Tuffour in either male or female custody.

Charges and Allegations

Tuffour faces multiple counts of defrauding by false pretences under Section 131 of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The charges stem from alleged fraudulent activities between 2023 and 2024, during which the accused is said to have collected large sums of money from victims under the guise of facilitating visa acquisitions.

According to court documents, Tuffour, working in collaboration with a Ghanaian resident in Germany identified as Ebenezer, falsely presented themselves as capable of securing German and Canadian visas.

The duo allegedly used personal meetings, false promises, and an elaborate scheme to gain the trust of 15 complainants, who sought to travel abroad in search of better opportunities. The accused is said to have received payments amounting to €42,889, £8,500, $5,000 and GH¢230,000.

Victims made payments either into the accused’s bank accounts or directly during meetings in Ghana, including at Tuffour’s Osu apartment and the Lancaster Hotel.

Key Incidents

Among the allegations, the accused arranged an ordinance marriage with one of the victims, Kwasi Gyimah, at the La Nkwantanang District Court, claiming it would facilitate a spousal visa to Germany. The fraudulent representations convinced the victims to part with significant sums of money.

Despite admitting to the offenses during police investigations, the accused claimed to have handed over the funds to Ebenezer, who has denied receiving any money.

Legal Proceedings

The prosecution detailed 12 counts of fraud involving different victims, including;

Defrauding Kwasi Gyimah of €10,000 and GH¢17,000.

Collecting £8,500 and €4,000 from Mark Korankye.

Receiving €3,750 from Alexander Yevu.

Convincing Diana Agyeiwaa Ofosu to part with €2,500.

Other victims included Ferdinard Kommey, Kingsley Kobina Koomson and Jemima Mireku, with losses ranging from $5,000 to GH¢35,000.

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