Accra, Jan. 18, GNA - Paul Boakye, a trader at Darkuman, accused of defrauding a shopkeeper of 50 million cedis was on Wednesday put before an Accra Circuit Court.

Boakye pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences and issuing of a dud cheque to Mr John Tei Apetey, the shopkeeper. After listening to submissions from counsel for the accused person, the court granted him bail in the sum of 50 million cedis and adjourned the matter for one month.

The facts of the case as narrated to the Court by the Prosecution were that in February 2006, Boakye allegedly collected 100 bags of rice valued at 51 million cedis from Mr Apetey at his shop at Odorkor. The Prosecution said Boakye collected the goods under the pretext of returning the proceeds in two weeks after supplying them to his customers. The Prosecution said Boakye defaulted in payment.