Abdulai is alleged to have collected GH₵352,000 from three complainants under the pretext of securing visas for them but failed.

The accused promised to secure electronic visas for Mongolia, Georgia, Albania, and Malaysia.

Charged with three counts of defrauding by false pretenses and forgery of documents, Abdulai has pleaded not guilty.

The court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, has admitted the accused to bail in the sum of GH₵150,000 with three sureties, one to be justified.

The accused person was ordered by the court to report to the police once every two weeks.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Danku, said the complainants were Ohenewa Sarah and Matilda Ayaaba, both traders, and Aisha Ahmed, a businesswoman, all residing in Accra.

Chief Inspector Danku said Abdulai resides at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region.

The prosecution said that between the months of September and December 2024, the accused person and his accomplice, one Antwi, posted advertising fliers on the internet soliciting persons interested in traveling to countries such as Belarus, Andorra, Albania, and Malaysia for work.

At that time, the accused person claimed to be in Belarus.

The court heard that the accused was later contacted by the three complainants on different occasions, and he convinced them that he could help them acquire various visas to the above-mentioned countries.

The prosecution said Abdulai then demanded and collected cash in the sum of GH₵47,000 from Sarah Ohenewa, the first complainant; GH₵55,000 from Matilda Ayaaba, the second complainant; and GH₵250,000 from the third complainant, Aisha Ahmed, who also collected money from eleven persons.

The prosecution said Abdulai, after collecting the money via his mobile money number bearing his name, went into hiding.

The court heard that somewhere in December 2024, Abdulai surfaced and sent some documents he claimed were electronic visas to the complainants via WhatsApp.

The prosecution said the complainants suspected foul play and started looking for the accused person.

The court heard that the complainants and other persons believed to be victims of the accused person arrested Abdulai at his wedding ceremony at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region and handed him over to the police at Teshie.

“Further checks on the electronic visas at the Immigration DFEC Unit revealed that all the visas were fake,” the prosecution said.

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Nigerian socialite Darlington Akporugo is facing up to 25 years in prison after confessing to leading a multimillion-dollar romance scam that targeted dozens of victims, mainly elderly individuals, across Houston and other parts of the United States.

The 47-year-old was set to marry his fiancée, Jasmin Sood, in early 2024 when U.S. law enforcement arrested him just hours before the ceremony.

His arrest followed an extensive investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into a Houston-based syndicate involved in romance fraud.

Akporugo, who is in the U.S. illegally, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, and aiding and abetting wire fraud in the U.S.

District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He admitted to defrauding over 25 victims, many of whom were retirees or widows, out of millions of dollars.

“This individual and his co-conspirators preyed on the vulnerability of the elderly and recently widowed, robbing them of their hard-earned life savings,” said Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge at ICE Homeland Security Investigations. He praised the cooperation between domestic and international law enforcement in dismantling the fraud ring.

As part of his plea, Akporugo confessed that he and his accomplices created fake identities on social media platforms, primarily Facebook, to manipulate individuals into fraudulent investments or fabricated personal emergencies. Victims were then tricked into transferring money to accounts controlled by Akporugo and his associates, with the funds later funneled to overseas accounts.

Akporugo remains in custody ahead of his sentencing, scheduled for June 6. After completing his prison term, he is likely to be deported from the United States.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Debrah shared that his daughter’s fiancé had not been well the day before the wedding, and he was hospitalized on Thursday.

However, on Friday—the day of the wedding—he was discharged and went to the hotel where the ceremony was being held.

Unfortunately, shortly after his arrival, the groom complained of feeling unwell.

“He said he wasn’t feeling well and was taken to the hospital. But on Friday, the wedding day, he came to the hotel. He complained of a sudden sickness, and we struggled to get him on a drip. The nurse realized the situation wasn’t improving. Then, the nurse pronounced him dead. Some people started calling the town to inform them of the tragic news” Mr. Debrah recalled.

The father continued, emotionally recounting how the news devastated the family.

“When my daughter, Florence, heard the news, she collapsed. We immediately began praying hard for her. It was as if she was going to die too. She couldn’t believe it. It was a very tough moment for all of us. We rushed to revive her. By God’s grace, we managed to bring her back” he said.

Mr. Debrah shared that, in the midst of this tragedy, a glimmer of hope emerged when some people brought word that Chief Inspector Beniba might still be alive.

“Some messages came in saying he was not dead, so we rushed to the hospital. But when the doctors checked his body, they confirmed that he had indeed passed away,” he said.

The family’s devastation was compounded by the fact that the wedding preparations had to be halted.

“The food and decorations were all prepared, but no one was interested in eating. The guests were too grief-stricken. We had to pack everything up, and all the food was wasted. The sadness was overwhelming” Mr. Debrah said.

He also spoke highly of Chief Inspector Beniba, describing him as a highly respected man in the community.

“He was an affable man, a protector of the community. Even during events, as a police officer, he ensured safety. He was a man of integrity. He always gave us his protection, even when we had gatherings. He was a good man, and it’s all in God’s hands. We can’t complain.”

In his emotional final remarks, Mr. Debrah urged people to value life and rely on God.

“Life is precious. Let my daughter’s experience be a lesson to everyone. We should rely on God, not on humans or anything else. We should worship God, for anything can happen at any time. Always walk with God,” he said.

The tragic incident unfolded on Friday at the Anamase Hotel, the venue for the wedding in Akyem Anamase near Oda in the Eastern Region. Chief Inspector Beniba, the Station Officer at the Anamase Police Station, collapsed shortly after arriving at the venue.

According to eyewitnesses, the groom, accompanied by his best men, complained of dizziness upon entering the event. Before anyone could assist him, he collapsed on the floor.

He was rushed to the Anamase Clinic, but sadly, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The news devastated the hundreds of attendees, including police personnel who had traveled from Accra, Koforidua, Oda, Akyem Achiase, Akyem Swedru, and other parts of the country. Many were overcome with grief, and tears flowed freely as the tragic event unfolded.

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Jamie Lee Komoroski was sentenced to 25 years in prison over the crash in South Carolina last year that killed Samantha Miller while she was still wearing her wedding dress.

The victim’s husband, Aric Hutchinson, was among three others who were hurt, along with two of his family members who were also in the vehicle.

He wept as he told the court his new wife had “wanted the night to never end”, the Associated Press reported.

The collision occurred in the city of Folly Beach in April 2023 as the newlyweds were being taken back to their accommodation just hours after their ceremony.

Komoroski was accused by prosecutors of drinking at several bars and then driving at 65mph (104km/h) in a 25 mph zone. Her car hit the golf cart carrying the couple, driven by Mr Hutchinson’s brother-in-law.

A blood test showed that she was three times over the drinking limit, according to a report released by state officials after the crash. She had earlier refused to provide officers with breath samples, a police incident report said.

At Charleston County Courthouse on Monday, Komoroski admitted charges including felony DUI resulting in death. She received multiple sentences that will run at the same time.

Addressing the court before being sentenced, she spoke of her regret and said she took full responsibility.

Mr Hutchinson, who sustained a brain injury and broken bones in the crash, also spoke. Although he has said he has no memory of the incident itself, he was able to recount his final conversation with his wife.

“On the golf cart, she told me she didn’t want the night to end and I kissed her on the forehead and then the next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital,” he said.

After the sentencing, he said he felt “the punishment fit the crime”, according to CBS News affiliate WCSC.

“I do think she’s sorry,” Mr Hutchinson said. “However, that doesn’t change the fact that Sam’s not here, my wife’s not here, the family we planned, all of our injuries. So that’ll take some time for sure.”

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While other women typically opt for princess-inspired ball gowns for their dream weddings, Dede chose a unique and custom-made short white wedding dress that set her apart.

Dede, a melanin beauty, captivated her guests with her elegant and understated bridal makeup and hairstyle, showcasing her innate sense of style.

Her regal appearance was further enhanced by an off-shoulder Kente gown that beautifully highlighted her curves during the traditional wedding ceremony.

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Six years relationship hit the rock in five seconds after the bride discovered her husband allegedly cheated on their wedding day, in Enugu State.

In videos making rounds on social media, the couple could be seen en route to the wedding grounds when the charged bride ordered to alight.

She could be seen hysterically screaming at the groom who was simply begging.

Despite efforts from the bridesmaid and groomsmen to calm her down, the livid bride was just creating a scene.

Persons, believed to be mothers of either of them, appeared on the scene, but the yet-to-be-identified bride took to her heels before she could be counselled.

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“Why did you do this to her, you married just today, how could you?” some bridesmaids could be heard asking the groom.

The screams from the bride attracted tons of persons who sympathised with the bride while others took videos of the incident.

Video below:

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