Accra, Feb. 5, GNA - A businessman who dragged a self-styled fetish priest to court for fraud has requested that the case should be discontinued.

His reasons, according to a letter he sent to the court were that he was a Christian and had forgiven the accused, Robert Mensah. But the trial judge, Mr D.E. K Dakatsey pointed out that the complainant in the matter was a witness to the state and could not discontinue the case.

He said under the laws of the state it was only the Attorney General Department that has the power to withdraw cases. He noted that with the action of the complainant, Nana Donkor, could be charged for compounding crime because he was preventing the prosecution of the accused.

Mensah and the complainant were both absent in court. Medical report on Mensah showed that he was not well. The trial judge therefore advised parties to come to court at the next sitting to come and announce the settlement. It therefore adjourned the matter to February 25. Mensah claimed he could save the businessman from motor accidents and death and succeeded in collecting GH¢3,100 cedis from him but failed to do so.

Robert Mensah, who is also facing additional charge of conspiracy, pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail in the sum GH¢2,000 with a surety.

Chief Inspector Johnson K. Anim said on December 9, last year, complainant Nana Donkor received a call from Mensah that some of his workers had planned to kill him spiritually and he being a fetish priest could help him.

Mensah further told the complainant that his enemies had planted a deity in his office and was going to direct him on what to do. Mensah instructed him to burn the deity and also informed him that he had gone to consult a Mallam for assistance hence he needed GH¢600 cedis to pacify the gods. The prosecutor said the complainant sent the money through the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) Adum branch to the accused person. The prosecution said on January 20, this year, Mensah informed the complainant, who was then driving, that someone had planted an object in his car; hence he was going to crash. He should therefore get out from the car and walk round it.

To the complainant's surprise he found than an object had been placed in his car.

Mensah further demanded GH¢2,500 saying the spiritualist needed the money to purchase cows to pacify the gods. The complainant who became suspicious reported the matter to the police who informed him to issue a cheque to Mensah so that they could arrest him whenever he appeared at the bank to collect the money. A witness in the matter went to the GCB Kejetia branch to withdraw the money and when the Police arrested him he said he was instructed by Nassir, now at large, to collect the money. The Police, however, traced the number that was used in communicating with the complainant and succeeded in arresting Mensah.