An Accra Circuit Court has remanded Mohammed Lanson Abubakar, a 44-year-old self-acclaimed Imam, to police custody for allegedly threatening to kill his wife, Maimuna Sarki Abubakar.
Maimuna Sarki Abubakar is a social worker and a Nigerian citizen residing in the United Kingdom whilst the accused, Abubakar, is a businessman in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
According to the prosecution, Abubakar met Maimuna on social media and presented himself as an Imam, persuading her to marry him which she accepted, and they married.
Before their separation, Maimuna purchased a plot of land in East Trassaco from Abubakar and built a one-story house on it.
The prosecution said Maimuna subsequently furnished the house and returned to the United Kingdom, stating that whenever she visited Ghana to see her husband, she stayed at the property with him.
Chief Inspector Lawer said in 2020, Abubakar persuaded Maimuna to buy and ship a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 Infinity CPX vehicles to him in Ghana, to sell the cars and use the proceeds to buy a parcel of land at Adjiringanor for her.
Maimuna then bought the vehicles and shipped them to Abubakar, who used the proceeds to buy four plots of land in Adjiringanor.
Later, the marriage deteriorated, and Abubakar threatened her during one of their disagreements, stating, “I have scammed you; I am taking over your building and all your properties here in Ghana, including your daughter. If you dare get closer to this property again, I will kill you.”
Abubakar pleaded not guilty to the offence but was detained due to his previous failure to appear in court and jumping an earlier police inquiry bail.
Abubakar’s counsel pleaded for bail, claiming he did not jump bail and did not threaten Maimuna as charged.
Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer stated that Abubakar’s actions hindered the investigation, and there was a risk he might not appear for trial if granted bail.
The court remanded Abubakar to assist police in the investigation and to be brought back on September 2, 2024.
The court was informed that Abubakar and Maimuna are seeking a divorce at the Adentan Court.
Despite this, the court remanded Abubakar due to the severity of the allegations and the need to ensure his availability for trial.