Businessman remanded for fraud

Ohene Agyekum, a 29-year-old businessman, was on Wednesday remanded into prison custody for defrauding by false pretence by a Koforidua Circuit Court.

Agyekum pleaded guilty with explanation but after his explanation, the Judge, Mrs Barbara Tetteh Charway, entered a plea of not guilty for him.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Patrick Adzadza, told the court that the complainants were Nana Yaa Berko Oteng and her son Oti Oteng Kwaku.

He said in May this year, Oti met one Collins Agyei, a witness in the case and told him that he (Collins) had someone who could help him (Oti) join the police service.

He said Collins then introduced Agyekum to Oti as Sergeant Solomon, who claimed to be working directly under the Eastern Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gyamerah Yeboah.

The prosecutor said Agyekum asked Oti to produce his educational certificate and an amount of GH¢ 500.00 as cost of processing and connection fee.

Inspector Adzadza said Oti then informed his mother that he had seen a Good Samaritan who promised to assist him join the police service.

He said Oti took Agyekum to the house to meet his mother at Effiduase, a suburb of Koforidua and succeeded in collecting GH¢ 200.00 from her.

He said a week later, Agyekum called and informed Oti that he had been successfully enlisted into the Police Service and upon that false information collected GH¢300.00 from him.

The prosecutor said after taking the money, Agyekum asked Oti if he would prefer training in Ho or Kumasi.

Inspector Adzadza said Agyekum later went into hiding and all efforts to trace him proved futile.

He said Oti then informed his mother about the attitude of Agyekum and later reported the case to the police.

The prosecutor said on June 3, 2011 Oti saw Agyekum in town and raised the alarm and he was arrested and handed over to the police.

Inspector Adzadza said Agyekum admitted the offence in his caution statement and was charged with the offence.

Source: GNA