Kumasi, Feb 8, GNA - Michael Senanu, a trader who duped two people of 12.2 million cedis under the pretext of renting out rooms to them, was on Monday remanded in police custody by a Kumasi circuit court. He pleaded guilty and would re-appear before the court on February 21.

Police Chief Inspector John Afful, presenting the facts of the case to the court, presided over by Mr Ernest Yao Obimpeh said in October last year, Miss Cynthia Nketia, a telephonist, who was in dire need of accommodation contacted Senanu, who collected six million cedis from her with a promise to give her a room in his father's house. He told her that tenancy agreement documents to enable her move in were to be ready in two weeks.

Chief Inspector Afful said just about the same time, Kwame Danso, an auditor, also approached the accused for room accommodation. Senanu again took 6.2 million cedis from him for the same room he had already offered to rent out to Miss Nketia.

He said when the first victim was preparing to move to occupy the room, she got a hint that it had been rented out to another person. A report was subsequently made to the police and Senanu went into hiding until February 5, 2005 when he was arrested.

He said when asked to refund the money paid to him by his victims, Senanu gave the excuse that he had used it to process his travelling documents. Feb 08 05