A 59-year-old farmer, Nana Asamani, has been granted a GH¢15,000 bail by the Tarkwa Circuit Court, for defrauding by false pretences.

He pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on May 28.

Prosecuting, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Albert Aditta, told the court presided over by Mr Samuel Obeng Diawuo that, the complaints, Patrick Mawuka and Francis Agbey, are both galamsey operators (illegal miners), who reside at Asankragwa, in the same vicinity with the accused.

He said last year, the accused who used to be the Head of the Agona Clan in Asankrangwa, was destooled for alleged mismanagement and embezzlement of the family’s properties and funds entrusted into his care.

According to the Prosecutor, in September that same year, the accused collected cash worth GH¢8,000 and GH¢4,000 separately from the complainants by installment, and promised to give them two acres of land worth GH¢12,000 to mine on at Amoaman, a village near Asankrangwa.

DSP Aditta said after collecting the money the complainants a parcel of land, which was the property of the Agona clan and asked them to commence work on it.

The Prosecutor said while the complainants were prospecting for gold on the land one Madam Janet Cudjoe a witness in the case and care taker of the Agona clan approached them to quit every activity on the property.

DSP Aditta said when the complainants and witness confronted the accused on the issue he admitted that the land does not belong to him and, therefore, promised to refund the money to the witness, to enable the complainants to continue with their work.

He said months later the accused refused to fulfil his promise and the case was reported to the police.

DSP Adiita said the accused was subsequently arrested in his caution statement admitted collecting the money.

The Prosecutor said after careful investigation the accused was charged with the offense of defrauding.