Josiah
Veteran Ghanaian actor Samuel Seth Karikari, popularly known as Koo Ofori, has been granted bail by the Dansoman Circuit Court in the sum of GH¢320,000 after being remanded over allegations of defrauding a U.S.-based medical doctor of $50,000 under the pretense of securing land in Accra.
The 55-year-old actor, famed for his role in the television series Efiewura, is accused of taking the money from Dr. Emy Oduro-Burton in 2021, promising to help her acquire a 70×100-foot plot of land at Spintex, Accra. The transaction reportedly never came through, leading the complainant to take legal action.
Court records show that Karikari failed to respond to a criminal summons issued on April 17, 2025, resulting in a bench warrant for his arrest. He was remanded on Friday but reappeared in court on Monday, May 12, where the presiding judge, Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, rescinded the warrant and granted bail.
As part of the bail conditions, Karikari must provide three sureties, two of whom must secure the bail with immovable property. He is also required to surrender his Ghana Card to the court and report monthly to the police investigator managing the case.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for June 25, 2025.
According to the prosecution, Dr. Oduro-Burton, who resides in the United States, was convinced by Karikari in 2021 to pay $50,000 (approximately GH¢309,000) for a plot of land in Accra. She transferred the funds to Karikari’s dollar account at Consolidated Bank Ghana.
However, investigations revealed that Karikari allegedly used only part of the money—GH¢170,000—to purchase half a plot of land from one Kwaku Danso, the legitimate owner and a witness in the case. The rest of the money remains unaccounted for.
Dr. Oduro-Burton discovered the fraud upon returning to Ghana and visiting the site. Multiple attempts to retrieve her funds reportedly failed, leading her to file a complaint with the police.
Karikari was subsequently arrested and is said to have admitted to the offence in his caution statement.
