An Accra Circuit Court has remanded a retired fire officer into custody over allegations that he defrauded 60 prospective recruits of GH¢303,200 in a fake Ghana National Fire Service recruitment scheme.   

The court did not take the plea of Thomas Dorkenu, 60, who has been charged with defrauding by false pretences.   

The case was adjourned to Aug. 12, 2026.   

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, prosecuting, told the court, presided over by Mr Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah, that Dorkenu allegedly collected the money after claiming he could secure enlistment into the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) through protocol arrangements.   

The prosecution said Dorkenu allegedly informed one of the complainants, Ms Eyram Davordzi-Banini, a midwife at Akatsi, on Feb. 9, 2026, that he had secured recruitment slots from the Chief Fire Officer and asked her to mobilise prospective applicants.   

According to the prosecution, Ms Davordzi-Banini mobilised 60 applicants and, on their behalf, paid GH¢303,200 to Dorkenu as what he described as approved protocol fees.   

The prosecution alleged that Dorkenu subsequently issued purported appointment letters directing the applicants to report to the Ghana National Fire Service Training School on July 23, 2026.   

However, when the applicants reported for training, they were informed that the appointment letters were not genuine.   

The prosecution said the applicants subsequently lodged a complaint with the Chief Fire Officer, leading to investigations and Dorkenu’s arrest.   

It said Dorkenu was handed over to the Police together with a Tecno Spark C30 mobile phone, believed to have been used in the commission of the alleged offence.   

The prosecution said Dorkenu, in his caution statement made in the presence of an independent witness, admitted receiving the money but claimed he had also been deceived in a scam involving a Telecel telephone number.   

The court heard that the mobile phone had been submitted for digital forensic examination, while Police were searching for the user of the Telecel number as investigations continued.