The High Court in Accra has granted bail to Rafmoh Gold Limited and five individuals accused of smuggling 100 kilograms of gold worth GHC100 million. Each of the six accused was granted bail of GHC50 million with two sureties, one to be justified, totaling GHC300 million.
The accused include Rafmoh Gold Limited (A1), Abdul Karim (A3), Abdul Razak Seidu (A4), Bernard Nkrumah (A5), Ibrahim Aremeyaw (A6), and Sadique Abubakari (A7). A second accused person, Muhammed Afsah Puthalan (A2), is currently at large.
They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to smuggle gold and transporting gold without proper documentation, in violation of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140). Additional charges include smuggling gold out of Ghana, unauthorized gold purchases, and attempting to commit a crime.
Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai led the prosecution, while Paul Asibi Abariga represented the defense. Abdul Karim and Sadique Abubakari, who had earlier evaded arrest, turned themselves in and were granted bail under the same terms. The case has been adjourned to November 6, 2025.
Prosecution’s Case
According to the prosecution, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) the statutory body overseeing gold trade in Ghana established a task force to clamp down on illegal gold smuggling. Rafmoh Gold Ltd, based in Tse Addo, Accra, is alleged to have engaged in unlicensed gold trading and export activities.
Muhammed Afsah Puthalan, an Indian national and accountant for Rafmoh Gold, is said to have managed the company’s gold operations. Abdul Karim, an account officer, and other accused persons allegedly played various roles in sourcing, transporting, and attempting to smuggle gold out of the country.
Investigators revealed that Bernard Nkrumah, a licensed Tier 2 gold buyer, resumed supplying gold to Rafmoh Gold between June and August 2025 despite knowing the company lacked a valid license. He reportedly received large sums via mobile money from Puthalan and used couriers, including Abdul Razak Seidu, to deliver the gold.
Surveillance and Arrest
On August 26, 2025, the GoldBod Taskforce intercepted intelligence about a gold smuggling operation from Tarkwa to Accra. The following day, they stopped a Toyota Hiace van at Winneba Junction and arrested Abdul Razak Seidu with 8.2kg of gold worth GHC10.2 million.
Seidu later admitted to making several similar trips under instructions from Abdul Karim, who relayed contacts from Puthalan via WhatsApp. He confirmed receiving gold from Nkrumah or his driver for delivery in Accra.
Further investigations revealed that between July and August 2025, approximately 100kg of gold — valued at GHC100 million — was supplied to Rafmoh Gold through this network. Ibrahim Aremeyaw and Sadique Abubakari were also implicated in assisting with the purchase and transport of the gold.
Author: Jasmine Adjei
Development journalist
