Kumasi, April 1, GNA - A Kumasi Circuit Court has remanded Samuel Asante Manager of Bantama branch of Unity Oil Company into prison custody for allegedly being defrauded by a fake "Minister" in the sum GH¢5,000 belonging to the company under the pretext of exchanging the money from higher denomination to lower denomination. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy but not guilty to stealing, while his accomplice Jennifer Owusuaa, cashier of the branch pleaded not guilty to both counts and was granted a GH¢5,000 bail with a surety to be justified. They would re-appear on April, 20.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Philip Bebli told the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Amoh-Yartey that the complainant Mr Kwaku Addai is the Transport Officer and Caretaker of the company. He said on March 25, this year at about 12:30 pm the accused persons went to Suntreso Police Station to complain that around 10:30 am the same day, the fake "Minister" introduced himself to Asante as a Minister of Bantama Presbyterian Church in Kumasi. The prosecution said he told Asante that, the church's management had sent him to change GH¢5,000 in GH¢50 denomination for GH¢20, GH¢10 GH¢5 denominations.

He said Asante, without a second thought, went straight into Owusuaa's office and ordered her to take the lower denominations in a polythene bag and followed the "Minister" to the church premise for the exchange.

The prosecution said on reaching the church premises, they were offered seats whilst the "Minister" entered the auditorium after taking the money from them.

He said after waiting for some time the "Minister" did not show up and they decided to look around for him but to no avail and realising that they had been duped, they rushed to the police station to make a formal report but they were detained and after investigations charged with the offences.