Lawyer in Court Over GH¢800k Excavator Fraud Allegations

An Accra Circuit Court has heard the case of a 34-year-old legal practitioner, Divine Effah-Dartey, accused of aiding a fraudulent excavator transaction that allegedly cost a businessman GH¢800,000.

Effah-Dartey, along with two others, is alleged to have misled the buyer into making a partial payment for an excavator they did not own.

The lawyer pleaded not guilty to the charge of abetment of defrauding by false pretences. He was granted police enquiry bail following a request made by his father, Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, a retired naval officer.

Also facing charges are Mawuli Awadzi Amenyo, a 49-year-old carpenter, accused of conspiracy and defrauding by false pretences, and Jiang Tao, a warehouse manager, charged with abetment.

Amenyo denied the allegations and was granted bail in the sum of GH¢400,000 with two sureties, one of which must be justified. Jiang Tao also received police enquiry bail.

A fourth suspect, Rishan Mahanta, is currently being sought by the police and is accused of forgery in connection with the case.

The case, presided over by Judge Evelyn Asamoah, has been adjourned to January 23, 2026. Detective Chief Inspector Abel Amanie, presenting the prosecution’s case, stated that the complainant, Kofi Boateng, a businessman from Asankragwa in the Western Region, intended to purchase an excavator for rental purposes.

According to the prosecution, Boateng was introduced to Amenyo in September 2025, who then connected him with Mahanta, described as an excavator importer based in Accra.

On October 1, 2025, Boateng traveled to Accra and was allegedly shown several excavators at the premises of Caitec Delta Limited, with Mahanta claiming ownership. Jiang Tao reportedly facilitated a test run of one of the machines despite access limitations.

After agreeing on a purchase price of GH¢1.7 million for a Sany hydraulic excavator, Boateng paid an initial installment of GH¢800,000. He was subsequently taken to a law firm in Kaneshie where Effah-Dartey, purportedly Mahanta’s lawyer, received the funds, issued a receipt and provided an Import Declaration Form.

Investigations later revealed the Import Declaration Form was forged, supposedly issued by the Ghana Revenue Authority, and that the excavator did not belong to the accused. The police are actively pursuing Mahanta as probes continue.

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