The Amasaman Circuit Court has granted a GH¢50,000.00 bail to a trader who allegedly defrauded a businessman under the pretext of securing him a plot of land.

Two sureties are to sign for Joseph Tettey, 24. They are also to deposit their valid national identification cards with the Court’s Registry, the Court ordered.

The Court, presided over by Enid Marful-Sau, also asked the prosecution to serve Tettey with disclosures and witness statements before the next adjourned date.

Tettey has denied the offence of fraudulent land transaction. He is expected back in court on August 6, 2024.

Police Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah told the Court that Francis Deo Tudzi, the complainant, was a businessman living at Fise near Amasaman. He said Joseph Tetteh, the accused person, was a trader and resident of Obeyeyie near Amasaman.

Chief Inspector Awuah-Ansah said in 2017, Tudzi bought a piece of land situated at Ayikai Doblo for GHC20,000.00 from Tetteh. He said the complainant made a part payment of GHC16,000.00 and decided to start his project but realized that someone was developing it.

The prosecution said the complainant informed the accused about the new development, and he (the accused person) promised to relocate the complainant but failed. Several attempts to recover his money or get a replacement of the land failed, the Court heard.

He told the Court that Mr. Tudzi made a report to the Amasaman police on December 14, 2023, leading to the arrest of Tetteh. He refunded GHC2,000.00 and pleaded to be given time to refund the rest but failed to honor his promise, the police told the Court. After investigation, he was charged with the offence and put before the court.

According to the prosecution, the complainant also chose two cars which he intended to buy among the “accident vehicles.” Afterwards, the prosecution said the complainant and Afedo returned to Madina.

It said Afedo, however, returned to Tema on a different day and informed the complainant that he had gone to see one Hajia Fati Amandu, who oversaw the auction cars, and that he had been asked to bring part payment.

The prosecution said the complainant added another vehicle to the two others he had selected earlier. It said the complainant gave Afedo various sums of money totaling GHC50,495 for Afedo to get him three cars. The court heard that Afedo, after collecting the money, started “telling stories.”

The prosecution said Afedo informed the complainant that the said Hajia would let one Kofi, who he described as his classmate and a bodyguard to the President, assist him in getting the vehicles.

The prosecution said Afedo could not be traced, hence the complainant went to the said Hajia Fati, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist’s house. Hajia Fati, however, denied Afedo’s story that she was going to assist him in purchasing some auctioned vehicles. The prosecution said Hajia also denied knowing Afedo.

A report was made to the police by the complainant, and on August 3, 2022, Afedo was arrested. When Hajia Fati heard of Afedo’s arrest, she went to the Madina Police Station.

Afedo claimed he never gave the money to her (Hajia Fati), instead, to one Hajia Ramatu at Tema. The prosecution said Afedo, however, failed to lead the police to the said Hajia Ramatu, and he requested that he should be given some time to pay the complainant.