Crime & Punishment of Monday, 12 August 2013

Source: GNA

Two people arraigned for fraud

Two people on Monday appeared before an Accra circuit court charged with conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretence.

The two are Nana Yaa Oquaye and Ebenezer Arkoh, both unemployed. Two others Amuzu and Kobby Ofori are at large.

They all pleaded not guilty, but Nana Yaa was granted bail while a bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Amuzu and Kobby to reappear on September 9.

Police Chief Inspector Issac Agbemehia told the court that the complainant is an employee of Airtel Ghana Limited while the accused persons are members of a fraud syndicate.

He said the complainant contacted Amuzu, who had displayed his mobile number on posters as a real estate agent.

He said Amuzu when contacted confirmed to the complainant that he had apartments, which were available for rent and agreed to meet the complainant at Labone Coffee Shop.

Chief Inspector Agbemehia said the complainant got to the agreed venue, but Amuzu failed to turn up and rather asked Kobby to meet the complainant.

He said Kobby then went and showed the complainant an apartment behind Jokers restaurant at La, Accra, after which Amuzu contacted the complainant on phone and explained that the property belonged to Nana Yaa.

Chief Inspector Agbemehia said Amuzu then directed the complainant to contact Nana Yaa to finalize the rent transaction.

He said Nana Yaa then requested the complainant to meet her at Nyaho Clinic at Airport Residential area where she normally attends medical check-up.

He said the complainant obliged and upon meeting Nana Yaa, who identified herself as the landlady for the property, collected GHc8,400.00, as an advance for two years, issued a receipt to the complainant and promised to provide the tenancy agreement the following day but failed.

Chief Inspector Agbemehia said the complainant reported the matter to the police after all efforts to contact the accused persons proved futile.

He said Police investigation led to the arrest of Nana Yaa, who admitted the offence of fraud and mentioned her accomplices.

He said she told the Police that she received GHc1,600.00 as her share of the booty.