
An Accra Circuit Court has remanded Clement Osei-Wusu, a travel and tour agent, into custody following allegations that he defrauded a civil servant and several relatives of GH¢107,000. Osei-Wusu is accused of operating a recruitment scam by promising his victims non-existent slots within Ghana's premier security and revenue agencies. He has been formally charged with defrauding by false pretences, a charge to which he has pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution's case reveals that Osei-Wusu utilized a WhatsApp group to solicit payments for enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the Ghana Police Service (GPS), the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The complainant, a civil servant who first engaged Osei-Wusu through the messaging platform, reportedly paid significant sums for several recruitment slots on behalf of himself and his family members. However, after the funds were transferred, the accused failed to fulfill the promises and eventually blocked communication with the victims, prompting a formal report to the police.
During the court proceedings presided over by Mr. Joseph Y. Kunsong, the court heard that while Osei-Wusu entered a plea of not guilty, he had allegedly admitted to the offense during police interrogation following his arrest. The prosecution detailed how the accused demanded varying amounts for the different services, exploiting the high demand for public sector employment. The court denied bail, ensuring the accused remains in lawful custody as the trial progresses.
This case highlights the persistent challenge of recruitment fraud in Ghana, where job seekers are frequently targeted by scammers claiming to have influence within state institutions. Under the current administration of President John Mahama, law enforcement and the judiciary have faced increasing pressure to clamp down on such fraudulent schemes to protect the public. Osei-Wusu is scheduled to reappear in court on September 22, 2026, for the continuation of the case.