Sekondi, Nov. 18, GNA - A Sekondi District Magistrate's Court on Friday remanded Stephen Owusu, a surveyor and Francis Duku, a farmer at Kwesimintsim into prison custody for defrauding by false pretences. They pleaded not guilty and are to re-appear on December 5, this year. Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Adu Kyeremeh said sometime in April this year, the two accused persons and one Ocran now at large, collected 19 million cedis from Madam Ama Araba Eshun, a Takoradi-based caterer, on the pretext of selling her a plot of land.

He said the accused persons took Madam Eshun to Adentem, showed her a piece of land and issued her with a receipt.

Sergeant Kyeremeh said after some weeks, Madam Eshun went to the site and found that somebody was developing the land. He said at the Lands Commission, she was told the land belonged to the developer and when the accused persons were confronted, they started playing "Hide and Seek" with her.

Sergeant Kyeremeh said a report was made to the police and the accused persons were arrested.

He said the accused persons admitted the offence in their caution statements and were accordingly charged.