Accra, Jan. 5, GNA - An Accra Circuit Tribunal on Wednesday fined Kofi Adjaku and Daniel Adjaku Tamakloe, both goldsmiths, four million cedis each, for collecting various sums of money from people under the pretext of providing them with residential accommodation.

Adjaku, 30 and Tamakloe, 61, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and defrauding by false pretences. The tribunal chaired by Mr Charles Nyewolema ordered that 6.2 million cedis out of the fine when paid should be given to the six complainants to defray the cost incurred by them. Police Inspector Joseph Ohemeng said Adjaku is the grandson of Tamakloe, who is a landlord and both of them live at Mamprobi in Accra.

Inspector Ohemeng said Tamakloe, who started constructing three bedrooms by the side of his house at Mamprobi, two years ago, instructed Adjaku to look for prospective tenants. He said Tamakloe's grandson was able to get three persons initially, who advanced some money to Tamakloe, for the completion of the rooms, to enable them go to occupy them.

Inspector Ohemeng said the landlord instructed further that, Adjaku should look for six more prospective tenants from whom they succeeded in collecting 6.2 million cedes, under the pretext of giving them the rooms to rent. He said when the building was completed, the first three people were allocated with the three rooms, adding that, the remaining six people, who could not get the rooms, demanded their money but the accused could not make a refund.

Inspector Ohemeng said the complainants made a report to the Police, who arrested the accused persons and when interrogated, Adjaku told the Police that in the process of committing the offence, Tamakloe told him that he would face any action that might arise, because he is a landlord. GNA