Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - A trader, who allegedly defrauded and robbed a scrap dealer of 6,000 dollars under the pretext of securing him a United Kingdom visa, on Monday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Nana Kwame Mensah, charged with conspiracy to rob and defraud, robbery, and defrauding by false pretences, pleaded not guilty. The court presided over by Mr Eric Kyei-Baffour remanded Mensah into Police custody to re-appear on August 28. An accomplice Alfred Ocansey, a driver, is said to be at large. Mrs Afia N. Adu-Amankwa, a State Attorney told the court that the complainant was Mr Mohammed Jamal, a scrap dealer residing at Kumasi whiles Mensah resides in Accra.

The State Attorney said on March 23, this year, Mensah was introduced to Jamal as someone, who could secure a UK visa for him. Mensah in turn introduced Ocansey to Jamal as his driver. On March 25, this year, Jamal in the company of one Isaac Ababio arrived in Accra to meet Mensah who collected $1,270 as part payment of the visa fee.

The prosecutor said Mensah called Jamal that he should give the balance of $3,730 to Ocansey who would meet Jamal at the GFA Secretariat in Accra.

Jamal, the prosecutor said insisted on seeing the visa before paying the balance and therefore called his brother to meet him, Ocansey and Mensah at Zenith Bank, Premier Towers branch, before paying the balance.

The complainant joined Mensah and Ocansey in a waiting car and they drove to the Zenith Bank premises. When Jamal alighted from the car and was receiving a mobile phone call, Mensah snatched the $3,730 which was concealed in an envelope. The prosecution said Jamal however, managed to get hold of the car door, Mensah sped off as Jamal held on to the door and Jamal was dragged on the ground until the car run into three stationary vehicles parked at the bank's premises. He said the complainant sustained injuries as a result of the struggle, however, Mensah managed to pass the money to Ocansey who bolted away.

Two security guards on duty at the banks' premises, on hearing Jamal's shout for help rushed to the scene and assisted him to arrest Mensah, who was handed over to the Police.