An Accra Circuit Court has discharged a University of Ghana lecturer and two students who were facing charges of defrauding fellow students by falsely promising accommodation at Dr Hilla Liman Hall.
Presiding judge Isaac Addo dismissed the case after the University of Ghana, which filed the original complaint, formally requested to withdraw it. This followed the full refund of GH₵106,800 to the police by the two student suspects.
The court also directed the police to return the recovered funds to all 32 affected students.
The accused—Joseph Appiah (25), Stephen Nimako Ansong (24), and Dr. Kwadwo Owusu Ayeh (58), a Senior Hall Tutor—had faced multiple charges, including conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences, abetment of crime, and corruption by a public officer. All three had earlier pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of GH₵100,000 each.
According to Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, who led the prosecution, the case began when Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University, lodged a petition with the Accra Regional Police on October 17, 2023, regarding suspected fraud in the allocation of student beds.
CID investigations revealed that 32 students paid between GH₵2,000 and GH₵2,500 each to Appiah and Ansong for non-existent accommodation. The students later confirmed they never received rooms.
During police interrogation, Appiah and Ansong allegedly admitted to working with Dr Ayeh. Investigators found that after Dr Ayeh took office, he conspired with Ansong to find students in need of housing. Ansong then enlisted Appiah to collect the funds.
The total sum of GH₵106,800 was eventually refunded, leading the University to drop the charges. The court then discharged all three individuals, effectively closing the case.
