Accra (Greater Accra), 2 Mar, '99 -

Miss Maria Soccorro Araneta, an American businesswoman, who was duped more than 380,000 dollars in a gold deal, on Tuesday, said 200 kilograms of gold, which was to be shipped to California was never done. Miss Araneta, first prosecution witness in the case was answering questions under cross-examination by defence counsel in a case in which four persons are alleged to have defrauded her under the pretext of selling gold to her and her business associate, Mr Ron Boyko in California. Witness said the first accused, Nana Kweku Anim-Addo, received a total of 55,000 dollars from Mr Boyko for the purchase and shipment of the 200 kilograms of gold to him in California. When counsel for Anim-Addo, Mr Felix Quartey, wanted to know how the transaction was made, witness said through a tele-conference by Mr Boyko, Anim-Addo and one Mr Martin Osae who was known to Mr Boyko in Ghana. She said it was agreed that Anim-Addo was to make the shipment to Mr Boyko. Miss Araneta said on January five, this year, she saw a quantity of gold to be shipped to Boyko at Mr Osae's house but she did not know why shipment was not effected. Witness said she has the power of attorney to pursue the case on behalf of Boyko. Those on trial with Anim-Addo are Charles Kwabena Kusi, Kofi Edusei, directors of Dredge Masters Company Limited, a mining company and Alhaji Abubakari Marga, a businessman. They have all pleaded not guilty to five counts of conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences and forgery of documents. Anim-Addo is on a 300 million cedis bail while the others are each on a 200 million cedis bail. Hearing continues on Thursday, March four.