Accra: A retired fire officer has been remanded into custody by an Accra Circuit Court over allegations of defrauding 60 prospective recruits of GHS303,200 in a fraudulent Ghana National Fire Service recruitment scheme.
According to Ghana News Agency, the court did not take the plea of Thomas Dorkenu, 60, who has been charged with defrauding by false pretences. The case has been adjourned to August 12, 2026. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, prosecuting, informed the court, presided over by Mr. Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah, that Dorkenu allegedly collected the money by claiming he could secure enlistment into the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) through protocol arrangements.
The prosecution revealed that Dorkenu allegedly approached Ms. Eyram Davordzi-Banini, a midwife at Akatsi, on February 9, 2026, claiming he had secured recruitment slots from the Chief Fire Officer and requested her assistance to mobilize prospective applicants. Ms. Davordzi-Banini, trusting Dorkenu's claims, mobilized 60 applicants and paid GHS303,200 to him as purported approved protocol fees on their behalf.
It was further alleged that Dorkenu issued fake appointment letters, directing the applicants to report to the Ghana National Fire Service Training School on July 23, 2026. However, upon arrival, the applicants were informed that the appointment letters were counterfeit. Following this revelation, the applicants lodged a complaint with the Chief Fire Officer, leading to an investigation and Dorkenu's subsequent arrest.
The prosecution stated that Dorkenu was handed over to the police along with a Tecno Spark C30 mobile phone, which was believed to have been used in committing the alleged offence. In his caution statement, given in the presence of an independent witness, Dorkenu admitted to receiving the money but claimed he had also fallen victim to a scam involving a Telecel telephone number.
The court was informed that the mobile phone has been submitted for digital forensic examination, and efforts are ongoing to locate the user of the Telecel number as investigations continue.