Ward Assistant in Court Over Alleged GH¢1.68 Million Military Recruitment Scam

A 41-year-old ward assistant, Patience Mbaye, has appeared before an Accra court over an alleged recruitment scam involving the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

Mbaye is accused of collecting GH¢675,000 from 26 people after allegedly promising to help them gain recruitment into the military.

The prosecutor, Inspector Frank Morgan Dorvi, told the court that Mbaye allegedly worked with former Senior Warrant Officer Jeffery Naboung, who is currently on the run.

According to the prosecution, Naboung also collected GH¢1,005,000 from 47 other people using the same recruitment promise.

The two have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and three counts of defrauding by false pretences.

Mbaye pleaded not guilty.

The court granted her bail of GH¢100,000 with three justified sureties. One of the sureties must be a public servant.

She was also ordered to report to the case investigator every Wednesday and Friday.

The case has been adjourned to July 27, 2026.

The prosecution said the complainants are Fatima Adam, a Prisons Officer, and Abdul Malik Ali, an okada rider.

According to the prosecution, Ali met Mbaye between 2023 and 2024. She allegedly told him she had connections that could help people join the Ghana Armed Forces.

Ali later informed his sister about the opportunity. Fatima also became interested and called Mbaye to confirm if the recruitment offer was genuine.

The prosecution said Mbaye assured Fatima that she and Naboung had helped several people gain recruitment into the military.

Mbaye allegedly instructed Ali to pay GH¢25,000 into a bank account provided by Naboung.

The prosecution said Mbaye and Naboung allegedly collected GH¢675,000 and GH¢1,005,000, respectively, through their GCB Bank accounts from people hoping to join the Ghana Armed Forces.

The prosecution said the promised recruitment never happened, and the money was not refunded despite repeated demands from the complainants.

The matter was later reported to the police for investigation.