Regional News of Thursday, 18 March 2004

Source: GNA

Two women fraudsters sentenced to 15 million cedis each

Tema, March 18, GNA - Two women in Ashaiman who defrauded a businesswoman who supplied them with 202 bags of wheat flour have been fined 15 million cedis each by the Circuit Court "A" in Tema. Peace Gyamfi, baker, pleaded guilty with explanation, while Dora Dakey, a trader pleaded not guilty. They will go to prison for six years each if they fail to pay the fine.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Mary Assunta told the Court, presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that in March 2003, Gyamfi collected 112 bags of wheat flour valued at 22 million cedis from Ms Grace Swatson with a promise to refund the money within two weeks.

She said a week later Gyamfi introduced Dakey, a bread seller, to Ms Swatson as a baker who needed 150 bags of flour valued at 29.5 million cedis and this was supplied.

Gyamfi alleged that she lost an amount of 13 million cedis on her way to make part payment to Ms Swatson. According to her, she fell unconscious on her way and when she regained consciousness the money had been stolen.

She again alleged that she lost another 19 million cedis "mysteriously" just as she was about to go and pay Ms Swatson. The Court heard that Ms Swatson became fed up with the "Ananse" stories from the accused persons and therefore reported the case to police.