Actor Samuel Seth Karikari, popularly known as Koo Fori of Efiewura TV fame, has been granted bail by the Dansoman Circuit Court in connection with an alleged $50,000 land fraud case.
The court admitted Karikari to bail in the sum of GH₵320,000 with three sureties, all of whom must be justified. He pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretences.
As part of the bail conditions, Karikari was ordered to deposit his Ghana Card at the court registry and report to the police once a month. The case has been adjourned to June 25, 2025, with the prosecution instructed to file disclosures ahead of the Case Management Conference.
Karikari is accused of defrauding Dr. Emy Oduro-Burton, a US-based medical practitioner, of $50,000 (approximately GH₵309,000). The funds were allegedly meant for the purchase of a parcel of land at Spintex, Accra.
The court had previously issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear. However, when Karikari appeared in court with his lawyer, Derrick Aboagye Asamoah, the warrant was rescinded. Counsel explained that the accused had been outside the court’s jurisdiction and had not intended to disrespect the court.
Defence counsel requested bail, arguing that Karikari was not a flight risk, had a fixed residence in Nungua, and was prepared to stand trial. He noted that under Ghanaian law, the accused remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The defence further claimed that Karikari had already refunded part of the money, with only $15,000 outstanding. Counsel also challenged the court’s jurisdiction, stating the matter was contractual and civil in nature rather than criminal.
Prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder, did not oppose bail but asked for conditions that would ensure the accused appears in court.
According to the prosecution, in 2021, Karikari informed Dr. Oduro-Burton that he had found a full plot of land at Spintex priced at $50,000 and offered to purchase it on her behalf. The complainant transferred the money to Karikari’s bank account. However, Karikari only paid GH₵170,000 to the actual landowner, Kwaku Danso, who is also a witness in the case.
When Dr. Oduro-Burton later visited Ghana to inspect the land, she discovered that the plot was only half the size and priced significantly lower than what she had paid. After repeated unsuccessful attempts to recover her money, she reported the matter to the police.
Karikari was subsequently arrested, and during interrogation, reportedly admitted to the offence in his caution statement.
