Crime & Punishment of Friday, 24 December 2004

Source: GNA

Two musicians in a visa deal

Tema, Dec. 24, GNA - Two music producers in Tema and Nungua who collected 55 million cedis from a hairdresser with a promise to secure her a United Kingdom visa, have been granted 100 million cedis bail by the Tema circuit court 'B'.

Cobbina Omane and Isaac Appiah pleaded not guilty and will reappear on January 14, 2005.

Chief Inspector Edith Nutakor told the court, presided over by Mr Stephen Teye, that in November 2002, the complainant, a hairdresser, met with Omane in his house at Community Four and during discussions, he promised securing him a visa to enable him travel to Britain. The court heard that Omane collected 55 million cedis from her to get the necessary documents for the visa.

He was said to have taken the complainant to the British High Commission several times but could not secure the visa. Chief Inspector Nutakor said Omane admitted the offence and mentioned Appiah as an accomplice whom he gave 2,000 dollars out of the amount to solicit his help for the visa.

Omane has refunded 1,500 dollars to the police, the Court heard.