Court remands retired fire officer in alleged GH¢303k fake GNFS recruitment scam

A retired 60-year-old fire officer, Thomas Dorkenu, has been taken into custody by an Accra Circuit Court following accusations of defrauding 60 prospective recruits in a fraudulent Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) recruitment scheme. The case, presided over by Mr. Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah, does not yet have a plea from Dorkenu, who faces charges of defrauding by false pretences.

The proceedings were presented by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, who stated that Dorkenu allegedly collected money from applicants after falsely claiming to facilitate their enlistment into the GNFS. Ms. Eyram Davordzi-Banini, a midwife in Akatsi, is reported to have mobilised the 60 prospective recruits, who collectively paid Dorkenu GH¢303,200 as protocol fees.

Upon receiving the funds, Dorkenu purportedly issued appointment letters, falsely stating they were approved by the Chief Fire Officer. When the applicants arrived at the training school, they were informed the letters were fraudulent. Dorkenu's arrest stemmed from complaints to the Chief Fire Officer, leading to investigators seizing his Tecno Spark C30 phone, which they believe was used in the alleged offense.

Dorkenu admitted to receiving the money during his caution statement, claiming he too had fallen victim to a scam through a Telecel phone number. The phone is currently undergoing digital forensic examination, and efforts are ongoing to trace the user of the Telecel number, with the case set to be adjourned until August 12, 2026.