Crime & Punishment of Sunday, 13 May 2018

Source: mynewsgh.com

Ayittey Powers arrested for visa fraud

Police investigators have reportedly refused Ayittey Powers bail Police investigators have reportedly refused Ayittey Powers bail

Boxer Michael Okine alias Ayittey Powers is currently in police custody at James Town police station after he was arrested last Friday for visa fraud, MyNewsGH.com can authoritatively report.

Ayittey Powers is alleged to have taken several thousands of cedis from three individuals under the pretext of securing travel documents but failed to fulfill his part of the bargain.

The victims after fruitless attempts to retrieve their money lodged a complaint with the Greater Accra Regional Police Command leading to the arrest of the suspect who is likely to be arraigned before court on Monday, May 14, 2018 for defrauding by false pretenses.

As at Saturday night, MyNewsGH.com reporters spotted relations of the embattled boxer at the police station trying to secure him bail but it was established that investigators refused to give in.

This however is not the first time the boxer has been engaged in visa racketeering scandals and fallen foul of the law.

In July 2014, he was reported to have also defrauded two residents of Kumasi to the tune of GH¢ 14,000 under the guise of securing them travel documents to Australia.

Kofi Asare and Prince Adjei Sarpong, also known as Nana Yaw, allegedly paid GH¢ 7,500.00 and GH¢ 6,500, respectively, as part-payment of GH¢ 28,000.00 being charged for visas to enable them to travel to Australia for a boxing contest.

Documents purported to have been presented to the Australian High Commission in Accra for visa presents Asare as the boxer while Nana Yaw is the trainer. They were however denied visas because the documents were found to be fake and persistent efforts by the two men to get a refund of their money have failed.

On a letter-head of Ace Boxing Promotions, 7 Wilonda Street, Robertson QLD 4109, the document, signed by one Angelo Di Carlo, Promoter and Co-ordinator, indicated Asare and Nana Yaw had been invited to take part in a boxing tournament in Brisbane on Saturday, July 26, 2014.

Interestingly, the same document which describes the two alleged victims as males with passport numbers G0664044 and G0654978, respectively, refers to them as ‘ladies’ and ‘she’ in another section.

It is not known if his latest arrest is in relation to the same matter or another one but police have declined further comment on the matter when MyNewsGH.com sought for further clarity except to say they are investigating him for visa fraud and would be arraigned him before the court.