Accra (Greater Accra), 9th June 99 -

Five Nigerians, who posed as officials of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Secretariat and duped an American of 808,000 dollars, were on Tuesday remanded in custody by a circuit tribunal on a charge of fraud.

They are Ogungbemi Alabede Jubril, alias Dr Johnson Smith, George Uzo Anieke, Prince Eugene Onwu, Tahir Abudul Jabbar, all businessmen, Alhaji Sidi Ilolo Ismaila, an accountant.

They pleaded not guilty and would make their second appearance on June 29.

The prosecution told the tribunal that between January and May this year, the accused persons introduced themselves to Mr Share Barnett, an American businessman in Ghana, and told him that they were officials of the ECOWAS Secretariat.

They told the American that they were capable of awarding him a contract to supply 37.5 tonnes of rice to the sub-region at a cost of 808,000 dollars.

Mr Barnett gave them the money but the accused persons later told him that they could double the money for him instead of awarding him the rice contract.

The complainant became suspicious and reported the matter to Dr John Abu, Minister of Trade and Industry, who also reported the case to the Police.

GRi?/