- GoldBod mistakenly published the wrong photo of a suspect in the RAFMOH Gold/NK Bernard Enterprise case.
- The published image showed Shamlal Ahamed of Malabar Gold and Diamonds instead of Mohammed Nandoli Rafeeq.
- GoldBod called it an “inadvertent mistake” and apologized publicly.
- Media outlets are asked to correct the error immediately.
- Rafeeq remains a key suspect in the ongoing gold smuggling investigation.
The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has issued a public apology after mistakenly publishing the wrong photograph of a suspect in its ongoing gold smuggling investigation involving RAFMOH Gold Limited and NK Bernard Enterprise.
In a statement released on September 16, 2025, GoldBod clarified that while the suspect’s name and personal details—Mohammed Nandoli Rafeeq, also known as Salaam—were correct, the image circulated during a press briefing was not.
The photo that appeared was actually of Shamlal Ahamed, Managing Director for International Operations at Malabar Gold and Diamonds, and not the accused smuggler.
GoldBod described the error as “inadvertent” and expressed sincere regret to both Mr. Ahamed and his company for the mix-up. The board also attached the correct photograph of Rafeeq in its statement and urged media outlets to promptly update their reports to reflect the accurate image.
“The GoldBod deeply regrets this inadvertent mistake and conveys its sincerest apologies to Mr. Shamlal Ahamed and Malabar Gold and Diamonds,” the statement read.
This correction comes amid the high-profile gold smuggling case that has already seen multiple arrests, including other suspects linked to the syndicate.
