Twifo Praso (C/R), Aug 25, GNA - A self-styled businessman based in Accra, who allegedly bought a quantity of palm oil worth 14.3 million cedis from five traders at Twifo Praso but failed to pay them, was on Thursday arraigned at a district magistrate court at Twifo Praso. Thomas Thompson, who pleaded not guilty to fraud by false pretences, was granted bail in the sum of 20 million cedis with two sureties to re-appear on August 31.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector George Okine alleged that in May the accused bought the stuff from the traders and asked them to delegate someone to accompany him to Accra for payment.

He alleged that when they got to Accra, Thompson managed to slip away and went into hiding until he was arrested on August 17. The court also remanded Ohene Adjei, a purchasing clerk for the 'Sika Aba' Cocoa Buying Agency at Twifo- Praso, for allegedly embezzling 7,875,000 cedis belonging to the agency.

Adjei, who pleaded not guilty to fraudulent breach of trust, is to re-appear on September 10.

Chief Inspector George Okine told the court that Adjei failed to account for the amount given him to buy 14 bags of cocoa during the 2003/2004 cocoa season.