Crime & Punishment of Tuesday, 26 July 2005

Source: GNA

"419" man charged for duping a businessman

Tema, July 26, GNA -- Edward Souley, an Ivorian on Tuesday appeared before Tema Circuit Court "A" for defrauding a 44 year old businessman of 525 million cedis under the pretext of clearing vehicles for him to buy.

He pleaded not guilty and the presiding Judge, Mr Charles Asiedu granted him 600 million cedis bail to re-appear on Friday, August 22. His accomplice, Prince Kiki is on the run. Prosecuting, ASP Christopher Quaicoe, said in March this year, Kiki approached Mr Joseph Appiah, the businessman and introduced Souley as a dealer in cars and had brought vehicles from Lome to the country. He mentioned the vehicles as two 4x4 wheel drive, one BMW saloon, one Urvan Bus and one Vento Saloon.

ASP Quaicoe said Kiki was able to convince Mr Appiah who hurriedly cashed 525 million cedis from the bank and gave it to Kiki for Souley who also converted the cedis into Euro and bolted but they were arrested in their hideouts in Accra.

The complainant reported the case to Tema Community 18 Police whose investigations revealed that Souley used part of the booty to buy three vehicles made up of VW Vento, Nissan Urvan and Mini Benz bus. He said, while investigations were underway Kiki was granted bail and has since been on the run.