A 34-year-old legal practitioner, Divine Effah-Dartey, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court accused of abetting a GH¢800,000 excavator fraud that duped a businessman from Asankragwa.
Effah-Dartey, along with carpenter Mawuli Awadzi Amenyo, 49, and warehouse manager Jiang Tao, faced charges related to conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences, and abetment. A fourth suspect, Rishan Mahanta, remains at large on additional forgery counts.
Prosecutors detailed how complainant Kofi Boateng sought an excavator for rental in September 2025. Introduced to Amenyo, who linked him to Mahanta posing as an importer, Boateng inspected machines at Caitec Delta Limited’s premises on October 1. Jiang Tao allegedly provided a key for testing despite restricted access.
Boateng agreed to buy a Sany hydraulic excavator worth GH¢1.7 million, paying GH¢800,000 upfront. At a Kaneshie law firm, Effah-Dartey—introduced as Mahanta’s lawyer—received the cash, issued a receipt, and handed over a purportedly forged Ghana Revenue Authority Import Declaration Form.
Amenyo later vanished under pretense of arranging transport, prompting Boateng’s complaint. Investigations revealed neither Amenyo nor Mahanta owned the equipment, and Mahanta was not a client of the firm.
Amenyo pleaded not guilty and secured GH¢400,000 bail with two sureties. Effah-Dartey and Jiang Tao received police enquiry bail, the former via an application by his father, retired Captain Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey.
Presiding Judge Evelyn Asamoah adjourned the case to January 23, 2026, as police hunt Mahanta.
The prosecution, led by Detective Chief Inspector Abel Amanie, highlighted Amenyo’s admission during arrest on October 7, claiming funds went to Effah-Dartey. The case underscores rising concerns over fraudulent asset sales in Ghana’s machinery sector.
