The Accra Circuit Court Three has granted GH¢40,000.00 bail with two sureties to entrepreneur Joel Bennet Akwei Appiah over an alleged Canadian visa fraud.

The court presided over by Susanna Eduful, ordered that the sureties must each prove earnings of not less than GH¢1,000.00 a month.

The prosecution was instructed to file and make available disclosures, including the witness statement, to the accused person. Appiah has denied the offence and is scheduled to return to court on July 30, 2024.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Evans Kesse, presenting the facts, stated that the complainant, Justice Eli Valley, a Ghanaian residing in Baatsonaa, lodged a complaint on May 6, 2024.

He reported that on October 23, 2023, he had made a payment of GH¢35,000.00 into the bank account of Jappex World Limited Travel and Tour Company at the CBG Baatsonaa branch.

The accused, an accountant residing in Tema, allegedly received the payment under the pretext of securing a Canadian visa for the complainant's younger brother.

Appiah, after receiving the money, promised to complete the process by December 15, 2023, but failed to do so.

The court was informed that Appiah again promised to deliver the visa by February 19, 2024, but failed once more. Subsequently, the complainant demanded a refund, and upon Appiah's failure to comply, a report was filed at the Baatsonaa Divisional CID on May 6, 2024, leading to Appiah's arrest.

DSP Kesse noted that Appiah admitted to the offence in his cautioned statement. Following an investigation, he was charged with the offence and brought before the court.