Police Arrest Former NPP MP For Wulesi

Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Wulensi Constituency in Northern Region, Honourable Thomas Donkor Ogajah has been arrested by police in the East Legon District Police Command in the Greater Accra Region, for allegedly defrauding a scrap dealer, Yussif Osman. 

When reached the police officers at East Legon District Police Command on Monday August 7, 2023 to help authenticate the arrest of the former MP,  the police confirmed to Soireenews.com that the MPwas arrested on Saturday August 5, 2023, around the 10:50 am.

was later granted bail, but the police stated 

However, the Former lawmaker has been charged for defrauding by false pretence based on section 131 of the criminal offense Act  of 1960, (Act 29) involving an amount of 38,600 belonging to the scrap dealer 

The former legislator has also been charged for fraudulent breach of trust based on section 128, of the criminal offenses Act of 1960, (Act 29) also involving an amount of 57,000 Ghana cedis belonging to the scrap dealer Yussif Osman. 

Facts obtained, reveals that on 17th of September 2021, the suspect, former MP for Wulensi, Thomas Donkor Ogaja, met complainant Yussif Osman at Ministry of Interior in Accra. 

The complainant was introduced to the suspect by one Mr. Kareem,  an errand boy of the aforementioned suspect, that the complainant Yussif Osman was into scrap business and needed assistance to buy scraps from the Ministry of Railways.

The suspect, immediately promised to assist complainant and asked him to make commitment of some money to enable him buy the scraps. 

Eventhough they did not agree on a specific amount,  on their second meeting, on another day, complainant gave 5000 cedis as an advanced payment to the former MP to start with acquisition of the scraps.

The suspect, after collecting the money, promised complainant that, he knew former Minister of Railways Development Joe Ghartey,  and also currently Minister for Railways Development John Peter Amewu.

The suspect claimed he had contacted them to assist them buy the scraps in large quantities. 

There after,  he asked complainant to make subsequent payment of unspecified amounts to enable him influence the aforementioned Ministers for him to easily acquire the scraps. 

The complainant made payment bit by bit,  to the total tune of an amount of 38,600 Ghana cedis. 

The second issue being handled by the police had to do with fraudulent breach of trust, as the second charge preferred against the former lawmaker. 

Inspite of all that had happened to the complainant,  he did not give up, and decided to continue with his scrap business.  

Out of complainants own efforts, he was able to get a scrap deal (business) from a Chinese company called Geo-engineering corporation located at Aveyima, in the Volta Region. 

Out of his own good bargaining,  they arrived at a price of 330,000 Ghana cedis for scraps involving 7 big  tipper trucks, and two concrete mixer machines for  outright buying.

But, because he, complainant, had no money  to finance the deal, he once again fell on suspect Thomas Donkor Ogajah for him to assist him raise money to enable him buy the scraps. 

The suspect could not raise the money himself,  but contacted a family friend at Agbogbloshie, who was able to finance the deal. 

Having acquired the said scraps, for business purposes, they sold it at the price of 500,000 Ghana cedis,  therefore, making a profit of 170,000 Ghana cedis. 

Before the transaction, the three parties, thus, complainant, suspect, and financier, had agreed that any profit made would be equally shared among the parties.

Unfortunately,  the suspect diverted the profit, and deposited it into his personal account following successful execution of the scraps transaction, and failed to give a portion (fathing) to the complainant (Yussif Osman) as earlier  agreed by the parties. 

The complainant subsequently went through serious financial crisis and difficulties and pleaded with suspect to at least raise a little amount for him to start something with his scrap business,  but all fell on deaf ears.

Subsequently, complainant was moving from friend to friend,  family to family for assistance to no avail. 

Until 21st July 2023 when he gathered courage and took a bold decision to seek legal assistance from the law enforcement agencies and therefore reported the case at the Legon Police Station.

Police then acted swiftly and on 5th August 2023, suspect was arrested and brought to book  to face the full rigors of the law.

Checks at the police station revealed that the suspect did not deny the allegations made against him and had therefore been charged formally with the offences of defrauding by false pretence based on section 131 of the criminal offense Act of 1960 (Act 29). He was again charged for fraudulent breach of trust, but he was granted bail to be arraigned before court of competent jurisdiction very soon.

The case is still under investigation by the police 

Interestingly, information indicates that the suspect,  knew he made false representation to deceive the complainant,  compelling him to part ways with the said amount after taking the initial monies requested.

Subsequently,  he refused picking up all calls made by complainant, and all efforts made by complainant to either retrieve his money or get the scraps fell on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, earlier on, complainant had impressed upon the suspect to take him to the Ministers involved to ascertain the truth,  but, he, the suspect declined.  A very clear indication that, the suspect had earlier on decided to defraud him.

Again,  this, the complainant indicated that,  the suspect had a malicious intent to defraud him (complainant)

Detective Chief Inspector Isaac Brako, of the Legon Police Station has been assigned by the police to investigate the case following the complaints made by the complainant at the police station. 

The suspect, was subsequently arrested on Saturday 5th August 2023 at about 11:10 am 

In his statement to the police, the suspect,  Thomas Donkor Ogajah,  corroborated the claims made by the complainant.

He indicated that indeed, they (suspect and complainant) had a scrap business together,  and out of the business,  profit was realized to the tune of 170,000 Ghana cedis.

He also admitted receiving various sums of money from complainant, therefore, establishing the facts, but described all these monies received,  as fuel allowances offered him by complainant to lobby the two Railways Development Ministers, and Chief of staff office, all involved in the scrap allocation.

In his statement again, the suspect admitted meeting the sector Ministers involved and one Deputy Minister to discuss the scrap deals with them.

From reliable checks, and information gathered, the suspect is seriously against going to court, due to his political career.

He is said to be afraid of losing his political career to the fraud case filed against him by the complainant.

Unfortunately, the complainant has also confirmed suffering silently in the hands of the suspect following these fraud activities perpetrated against him.