The Asokwa Circuit Court in Kumasi, presided by Fred Obikyere, has sentenced a 32-year-old man to 35 years imprisonment with hard labour, for defrauding by false pretence. 

Abdul Manaf Lawal was arrested by the police for defrauding a complainant, who had given him an amount of $50,000 to convert it into the Ghanaian cedi equivalent for him. 

A police statement signed by DSP Godwin Ahianyo, Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer and issued in Kumasi, said the convict, after receiving the money, went into hiding. 

Extensive investigations led to the arrest of the convict in Accra on June 27, 2025, in connection with a similar offence. 

He was subsequently transferred to the Ashanti Regional Police Command for further inquiry regarding the ongoing case.  

The police reported that the accused 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, the convict altered his plea to guilty. 

During the proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that the convict had a prior conviction, having served a 24-month sentence for theft, which necessitated the postponement of sentencing until September 10, 2025.