Two elders of the Charismatic Baptist Church at Patase Estate in Kumasi have been arrested by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) for allegedly duping a Ghanaian born Canadian lady to the tune of ?700 million.

Samuel Anim and Eric Addo are currently on bail pending further investigations into the case. Mrs Patricia Ago Ocran , the victim said in an interview in Accra that she was in Accra some years back to explore some possible areas of investment. She said she met Samuel Kuma through a lady friend called Julia Opoku and held discussion with him. The victim stated that after several meetings, Kuma advised her to import used appliances into the country because he claimed he was already into that line of business and assured her of a ready market. Mrs. Ocran said Kuma later introduced her to Eric Aidoo, who he said he was the owner of a company called ERIBERDOO Company Limited.

She said when she went back to Canada, they communicated on telephone and agreed on a number of containers of goods to be shipped to Ghana. Mrs. Ocran said she first shipped a 40-footer container of goods to Kuma, who called to confirm that he had taken delivery of the items. She said Kuma sold the goods and sent the money to her in Canada. According to Mrs Ocran, she was very happy with the arrangement and, therefore, shipped another consignment worth ?700 million to Kuma.

She said Kuma called again and confirmed that he had taken delivery of the goods and promised to send the money in the course. She said after waiting for several months without information from the, she decided to contact her lady friend who introduced them to her. Mrs. Ocran said Kuma and Aidoo asked her to come to Ghana for the money and for discussions on other lucrative businesses. She said upon agreement, she arrived in the country on June 11, 2001, purposely for her money and the discussions. She said upon arrival, she showed them her return ticket dated June 30, 2001 and requested that issues be speeded up to enable her to return to Canada on the scheduled date.

Mrs. Ocran said Kuma pleaded with her that they had used the money for some business venture and that she should give them some time to pay back. She said they ten arranged for accommodation for her and assured her of buying a new ticket for her as well as paying interest on the money. She said after staying in the country for about six months without any attempt by the two gentlemen to pay her the money, she decided to report the matter to the BNI. Mrs Ocran said they pleaded with her and gave her a cheque of a local bank, which was dishonoured. She said she was compelled to report the matter to the BNI and the two were arrested and sent to Accra.

She said they were detained for a day and a statement takes from them. Mrs Ocran said the BNI, after some time, told her they were still investigating the matter and that she should exercise patience. She said in the process she exhausted all her money while her visa had also expired, creating immigration problems for her. The head of the legal section of the BNI confirmed the story but said the bureau had advised the victim to institute civil action to recover her money from the two men.