Kumasi, July 28, GNA- A 25-year-old man who posed as a lawyer to consistently defraud a number of people in Kumasi and Sunyani was on Friday sentenced to ten years imprisonment in hard labour by a Kumasi Circuit Court.

Christus Owusu Agyemang, a university drop-out, pleaded guilty with explanation which sent the packed court into fits of laughter. He indicated that, he needed a place to sleep desperately because he had to look for a job in Kumasi where he would live since he comes from Atuna in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Agyemang said, "I told him (the complainant) I am a lawyer, hence, he took me to his own house, I accept the offence because I lied to the complainant, I plea for mercy.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Philip Bebli told the Court, presided over by Mr. Richard Mac Kogyapwah that, Agyemang resided at Techiman whilst Reverend Isaac Owusu Ansah, is a pastor of the Revival Temple Assemblies of God at Anomangye and the complainant lives at where the church is located.

On Sunday, July 13, this year, the convict attended the complainant's church after which all the new converts were asked to see the Minister whereby Agyemang and the others responded. During introduction, Agyemang told the man of God that he was a lawyer who was new in town and needed a place to stay, the Minister gave him a place to live, the prosecuted added.

Inspector Bebli said, Agyemang, who was gradually winning the trust of the complainant further told him (the complainant) that, his father was the head of the Customs and Excise Preventive Services (CEPS), who could influence him to waive part of the duty on a vehicle the Pastor had with the CEPS.

At this time, the convict had won the trust of the complainant, who took him to Sunyani where he showed him his wig as a lawyer and how he was going to assist the Pastor. Agyemang who failed on his promise was arrested by the Suame Police when the complainant became suspicious and made a formal report on July 16, 2008.

In his caution statement, Agyemang admitted the offence after investigation and he was charged and arraigned. It was also confirmed that Agyemeng had duped several people at Techiman, using the same modus operandi and was arraigned but jumped bail to Kumasi to continue his "trade." In passing judgment, Mr. Kogyapwah remarked that, the offence was a serious one, adding that, the sentence was to deter like-mined criminals to refrain from such acts.

He called for a regulation to govern the sale of regalia such as the wig and ordered that, it should be released to the Bar Association.