Two men, including a media worker, were remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court over an alleged fraud involving more than GH¢800,000. The money was reportedly obtained from a Ghanaian living in the United States under the promise of spiritual protection.
Bilyaminu Ibrahim, a media professional, is accused of collecting the funds from Tourwana Katakarauo through her sister, Fawuziya Issaka. Prosecutors say Ibrahim claimed to be a spiritualist who could help avert spiritual attacks targeting Tourwana and her family.
Ibrahim and Mohammed Musah, a journalist, face charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically defrauding by false pretence and harbouring a criminal, respectively. The court heard that the alleged accomplice, Katakaraou Jabiru, initially learned in 2021 that Tourwana was experiencing difficulties in the US. Jabiru reportedly conspired with Ibrahim to extract money from her.
Jabiru contacted Fawuziya, telling her he knew a spiritualist who could assist Tourwana. Ibrahim then posed as that spiritualist and convinced Tourwana to pay in instalments. The payments, which totalled around GH¢800,000, were said to be for sacrifices and rituals to protect her and her mother.
Further demands for money followed, with Ibrahim and Jabiru claiming Tourwana’s late father owed a debt to an unknown man who intended to haunt her spiritually. The court heard they asked for more cash to conduct Quran recitals and other spiritual activities.
In 2023, Jabiru allegedly informed Ibrahim that Tourwana’s mother had suffered a stroke and that a similar attack was imminent. The two men then collected additional funds, claiming they could redirect the attack back to the “sender.” They reportedly received further payments as tokens of appreciation.
The family elders attempted to resolve the matter but without success, prompting a police complaint. During investigations, Ibrahim admitted to posing as a spiritualist. Police recovered GH¢49,000 from him.
Jabiru fled to Togo after Ibrahim’s arrest but returned to Dodowa in September 2026. He stayed with Ibrahim and Musah. Police officers visited Jabiru’s residence on October 1 but only found Musah, who said Jabiru had gone out.
Musah then sent a text message to Jabiru stating: “Don’t come to the House.” He admitted in a statement to police that he sent the message to prevent Jabiru’s arrest. Jabiru remains at large.
Ibrahim and Musah are scheduled to return to court on October 20, 2026. Musah denies the charge of harbouring a criminal.
According to Joy Online.
