A court in Accra has granted bail to 11 individuals accused of attempting to defraud Sri Lankan lawmaker Dr. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah of USD 2 million in a fake gold transaction, according to Ghanaian media reports.
The suspects — identified as Abdul Rauf Adam, Alhmamoudi Saleh, Yaw Attah Antwi, Osman Suleman, Nhyiraba Dwamena Ra III, Benzcarl Dwamena, Sanfo Mubassir, Sallah Mammoudi, Ahmed Issah, Umaru Pafadenam and Salifu Suleman — were each granted bail of 500,000 Ghanaian cedis (approx. USD 33,000) with two sureties including at least one property owner, the Accra Circuit Court Eight ruled.
Prosecutors told the court that the group had allegedly conspired in 2023 to convince the Sri Lankan MP, who represents the Eastern Province, that they could supply him with a large quantity of gold. After receiving funds, they reportedly failed to deliver and later attempted to lure him back into business with a fresh offer of 50 kilograms of gold through a memorandum of understanding.
The accused were arrested on October 16 during a national security operation in the Weija SCC area of Accra. Authorities recovered two yellow metal bars believed to be gold, which are currently undergoing laboratory verification.
All 11 individuals face charges including conspiracy to commit crime, defrauding by false pretence, and attempted fraud. They are set to reappear in court on November 20.
Hizbullah denies being a victim, calls story “false and misleading”
In a statement issued by Dr. Hizbullah’s media division, the MP strongly rejected reports suggesting that he was defrauded or fell victim to a gold scam.
The statement clarified that Hizbullah had travelled to Ghana with business associates from Saudi Arabia when he discovered an attempted fraudulent approach by a group in the country. He then alerted Ghanaian security authorities, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
“We completely reject these claims and firmly state that there is absolutely no truth to the information being circulated,” the statement said.
“Dr. Hizbullah has no connection whatsoever with this incident.”
The media division further alleged that certain actors were spreading misinformation for political purposes, expressing regret over “false and misleading” reporting.
