Police arrest convicted fraudster while attempting to flee Ghana

The Ghana Police Service has arrested Eric Afoakwa, popularly known as “Chad”, who had been on the run after being convicted in absentia by the Accra High Court for multiple financial crimes.

According to the Police, Afoakwa was apprehended on Monday, July 6, while preparing to leave the country.

In a statement issued on Facebook, the Police said the operation was carried out by the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

Afoakwa was convicted by the Accra High Court in 2019 on five of six charges, including money laundering, defrauding by false pretences, forgery of official documents and tax evasion.

The trial judge, Justice Georgina Mensah Datsa, sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment to run concurrently and ordered him to refund $132,660 to the complainant.

Following the conviction, Afoakwa reportedly went into hiding, prompting the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to declare him wanted and appeal to the public for information on his whereabouts.

The Police said he will be handed over to EOCO to facilitate the enforcement of the court’s judgment.

The Service added that it remains committed to working with relevant state institutions to ensure that fugitives are tracked down and made to face the full rigours of the law.

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