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The Ashanti Regional Police Command has confirmed the conviction and sentencing of 32-year-old Abdul Munaf Lawal to 35 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for defrauding a victim of $50,000 under false pretences.
A statement signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Godwin Ahianyo, Head of Public Affairs for the Command, said the sentencing, handed down by the Asokwa Circuit Court 1 on September 3, 2025, marked the conclusion of a case first reported in July 2023.
According to police records, Lawal collected USD 50,000 from a complainant under the pretext of converting the funds into Ghana cedis. After receiving the money, however, he failed to return the equivalent amount and subsequently went into hiding.
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Lawal’s run from justice ended on June 27, 2025, when he was arrested in Accra in connection with a separate fraud case. He was later transferred to the Ashanti Regional Police Command, where investigations linked him to the earlier $50,000 fraud.
Following his arraignment, Lawal initially pleaded not guilty and was remanded into custody while the trial proceeded.
During proceedings presided over by His Honour Mr Fred Obikyere (Esq.), Lawal changed his plea to guilty on September 3. The prosecution further revealed that he was a repeat offender, having previously served a 24-month prison sentence for theft.
Taking into account the gravity of the offence, the financial loss to the victim, and his criminal history, the court handed him a 35-year custodial sentence with hard labour.
DSP Ahianyo urged the public to exercise caution in financial dealings and avoid transacting large sums of money through unverified individuals. He reiterated the police’s commitment to pursuing fraud-related cases diligently to safeguard the public against economic crimes.
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