Accra, March 10, GNA - A businessman who defrauded two of his colleagues of 187 million cedis under the pretext of supplying them with mosquito repellents was on Wednesday remanded in prison custody by a Circuit Court in Accra.

Emmanuel Ahadji, 35, Businessman at Kwashieman in Accra, pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences and was remanded to reappear on March 19.

The Court, presided over by Mr Williwise Kyeremeh, said Ahadji was refused bail because of the fear that he might abscond. Prosecuting, Chief Superintendent Khadija Musah said the complainants were businessmen in Accra who traded in mosquito repellents and cosmetics, respectively.

Chief Superintendent Khadija said in August 2002 Ahadji approached one of the complainants and told him that he had secured a business deal in China to supply mosquito repellents.

The Prosecution said when the complainant expressed interest in the deal Ahadji ask him to pay 37 million cedis to enable him to place order for the first consignment to be sent from China.

Chief Superintendent Khadija said after Ahadji took the money he did not deliver the goods as promised. He applied the same strategy to collect 150 million cedis from the other businessman.

The Prosecution said Ahadji went into hiding after taking the money until he was spotted and arrested somewhere in May last year.