An Accra Circuit Court has remanded retired fire officer Thomas Dorkenu into custody over allegations that he defrauded 60 prospective recruits of GH¢303,200 in a fake Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) recruitment scheme.
Dorkenu, 60, who has been charged with defrauding by false pretences, did not take his plea when he appeared before the court. The case, presided over by Mr Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah, has been adjourned to August 12, 2026.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, who led the prosecution, told the court that Dorkenu allegedly collected money from applicants after claiming he could secure their enlistment into the GNFS through protocol arrangements.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly approached Ms Eyram Davordzi-Banini, a midwife at Akatsi, on February 9, 2026, and claimed he had secured recruitment slots from the Chief Fire Officer.
The court heard that Dorkenu then asked Ms Davordzi-Banini to mobilise prospective applicants, leading to the recruitment of 60 individuals who paid a total of GH¢303,200, described by the accused as approved protocol fees.
The prosecution said Dorkenu allegedly issued appointment letters to the applicants, directing them to report to the Ghana National Fire Service Training School on July 23, 2026, for training.
However, upon arrival at the training school, the applicants were informed that the appointment letters were not genuine, prompting them to report the matter to the Chief Fire Officer.
DSP Nyamekye told the court that the complaint led to investigations and the subsequent arrest of Dorkenu. He was handed over to the Police together with a Tecno Spark C30 mobile phone believed to have been used in connection with the alleged offence.
The prosecution further stated that Dorkenu, in his caution statement made in the presence of an independent witness, admitted receiving the money but claimed he had also fallen victim to a scam involving a Telecel telephone number.
The court was informed that the mobile phone had been submitted for digital forensic examination, while Police investigations continue to identify and locate the user of the said Telecel number.
Dorkenu remains in custody as investigations proceed.
