An Accra Circuit Court has granted bail to a woman accused of allegedly defrauding 35 traders of GH₵156,445 through a susu savings scheme.
The accused, Martha Nana Esi Afful, who had previously been remanded into custody, pleaded not guilty to 35 counts of fraudulent breach of trust when she appeared before the court.
Presiding Judge Joseph Y. Kuunsong admitted her to bail in the sum of GH₵200,000 with two sureties, one of whom must be a public servant earning at least GH₵5,000 monthly. The case has been adjourned to August 12, 2026.
According to the prosecution, the complainants are traders and residents of La in Accra. Martha, described as a self-styled susu collector formerly living at Burma Camp, allegedly operated a business known as “ZOE”, through which she collected daily savings from clients.
Prosecutors told the court that she assured contributors their funds would be kept for periods ranging from one to three years before being repaid with interest. The complainants reportedly began making deposits in 2023 under a three-year savings arrangement.
However, when they attempted to withdraw their savings together with the promised interest in December 2025, the accused allegedly became unreachable, although she is said to have remained in telephone contact with a few of the contributors.
The prosecution further alleged that Martha later provided an MTN Mobile Money number through which some complainants continued to make payments. Despite repeated demands, the alleged total amount of GH₵156,445 was not refunded.
A formal complaint was lodged with the police on June 14, 2026, leading to Martha’s arrest at a washing bay in Tse Addo.
In her caution statement, the accused reportedly told investigators that she relocated to Swedru in the Central Region following the death of her husband, making it difficult for the complainants to reach her after December 2025.
She also allegedly informed police that she had invested the money in a refuse collection business and requested time to repay the funds.
The allegations remain before the court, and Martha Nana Esi Afful is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Police investigations are ongoing.
