Popular Ghanaian comic actor Koo Fori, known in private life as Samuel Seth Kwabena Kyere Karikari, has pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding a US-based Ghanaian of $50,000.

He appeared before the Dansoman Circuit Court on Monday, 12 May, following his arrest by the Accra Central Police Command on Friday, 9 May.

Koo Fori has been charged with defrauding under false pretences and was granted bail to the sum of ₵320,000, with three sureties.

According to police sources, the Efiewura TV series star allegedly received the funds from a Ghanaian resident in California, under the pretext of facilitating a legitimate investment opportunity.

However, the actor reportedly failed to honour the terms of the agreement and subsequently went into hiding.

The unnamed victim lodged a formal complaint after repeated efforts to recover the funds proved unsuccessful.

Further investigations revealed that Koo Fori not only failed to refund the money but also ignored a summons to appear before the Dansoman District Court on 17 April. His refusal to honour the court's order led to the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.