Kumasi: The Asokwa Circuit Court in Kumasi, presided by Mr. Fred Obikyere, has sentenced a 32-year-old man to 35 years imprisonment with hard labor for defrauding by false pretense. Abdul Manaf Lawal was apprehended by the police after defrauding a complainant who had given him USD 50,000 to convert into the Ghanaian cedi equivalent.

According to Ghana News Agency, a police statement signed by DSP Godwin Ahianyo, Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer and issued in Kumasi, stated that Lawal went into hiding after receiving the money. Extensive investigations led to his arrest in Accra on June 27, 2025, in connection with a similar offense. He was then transferred to the Ashanti Regional Police Command for further inquiry regarding the ongoing case.

The police reported that Lawal was charged and brought before the Asokwa Circuit Court 1. Initially, he entered a plea of not guilty and was remanded in police custody pending trial. However, on September 03, 2025, he changed his plea to guilty. During the proceedings, the prosecution informed the court about Lawal's prior conviction, having served a 24-month sentence for theft, which led to the postponement of sentencing until September 10, 2025.