A self-styled “Mallam” arrested for allegedly swindling a taxi driver of his Ghc4,000.00 has been ordered by a Kumasi Circuit Court to be held in prison custody without bail.

Tahiru Mohammed, 23, had played a trick on the victim that he was going to double the money for him.

He is now facing the charge of defrauding by false pretense, but he denies any wrongdoing. He would make his next appearance in court on Friday, December 13.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Doris Amewu told the court presided over by Mr D.W.P Amedior that the crime was committed about two months ago.

Stephen Boakye was introduced to Tahiru as someone who could treat his sick mother.

The accused after collecting Ghc3,000.00 as payment told the victim that he could not treat the woman but convinced him that he could double the money to enable him pay for the medical cost, which doctors had put at Ghc5,500.00.

He gave Boakye a small travelling bag filled with papers cut to the size and shape of cedi notes and asked him to take it home, with firm instructions never to open it until after three days.

The prosecution said when the period elapsed; he found only pieces of paper to his utter amazement.

He therefore sought an explanation from the accused who said the content in the bag had turned into papers because he forced it open.

He demanded additional Ghc1,000.00 to perform some esoteric rituals, but after receiving the money he went into hiding.

The victim, now realising that he had been duped, made a report to the police, leading to the arrest of Tahiru at his hideout.

Assorted perfumes, a large quantity of papers and pot were seized from him.

In his caution statement to the police, he insisted he received only Ghc450.00 from Boakye in exchange for lotto numbers.