Cape Coast, Feb. 18, – A man accused of posing as an official at the Office of the Vice President to defraud unsuspecting individuals has been remanded into police custody by a Cape Coast Circuit Court.
The accused, Patrick Nii Torto, is alleged to have collected various sums of money from victims under the pretext of facilitating Canadian visas and work permits for them.
According to the prosecution, Torto took amounts of GHS5,325 and GHS8,200 from two complainants while presenting himself as both a staff member at the Vice President’s Office and a captain in the Ghana Armed Forces.
He reportedly operated under the alias Dr. Patrick Nelson Ayittey and further convinced his victims that he had connections with the Canadian Embassy in Ghana.
When he appeared before the court on Tuesday, Torto pleaded not guilty to a charge of defrauding by false pretences. However, the presiding judge, Madam Nana Aba Quiaba Nunoo, ordered that he be kept in police custody to allow investigators to continue their work.
Police told the court that the suspect was arrested at his hideout in Abura after a formal complaint was lodged at the Abura Police Station on Monday, February 16.
Investigations indicate that the alleged fraudulent activities occurred between December 2025 and January 2026. Despite repeated demands from the victims, the accused is said to have failed to refund the monies collected.
A search conducted at his residence uncovered approximately ten Ghanaian passports along with other personal documents, including school certificates, birth certificates and Ghana Cards.
Further checks by investigators reportedly established that Torto was neither a member of the Ghana Armed Forces nor an employee at the Office of the Vice President. He was also found to have no links with the Canadian Embassy.
Police additionally determined that he is not a medical doctor and does not hold a doctorate degree, contrary to the identity he assumed.
The case has been adjourned to March 3, 2026, when the accused is expected to reappear before the court.
GHBUSS
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