Mobile phone trader remanded for holding fake currency

A Tarkwa circuit court has remanded a 38 year-old mobile phone trader, William Danquah, for possessing GH¢140 suspected to be fake currency notes.

He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear before the court on October 17.

Prosecuting, Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the court presided over by Mr. Samuel Obeng Diawuo that the complainant, Ernest Williams is the manager of Rail-view hotel in at the Tarkwa main bus terminal and the accused hails from Lartey in the Eastern region.

According to Inspector Amponsah, on Monday October 1, around 11:00 pm, the accused went to the drinking bar of the hotel and bought assorted drinks with four different GH¢20 notes bearing the same serial number and was offered change for each note he issued.

He said the accused later went to the reception and booked for one room at GH¢40 for which he paid with another two GH¢20 notes also bearing the same serial number.

Inspector Amponsah said the receptionist later detected that the notes were bearing the same serial number and made a report to the Police.

The Prosecutor said when the police officers got to the hotel room of the accused, he struggled with the officers and in the process caused damage to a hand washing basin and water closet all valued at GH¢300.

He said the accused was later over powered and escorted to the Police station.

Inspector Amponsah said the accused has so far refused to tell the Police where got the fake notes.

He said efforts are being made by the Police to forward the notes to the Bank of Ghana for verification.

Source: GNA