Tema, April 23, GNA - Kofi Ababio, a trader who cheated on a friend under the pretext of obtaining a visa for his nephew to travel to Italy has been granted a 30 million cedi bail by the circuit court "A" in Tema.

Ababio pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing 4,500 dollars and will reappear on May 24, 2004.

Inspector Adolphus Otchere told the court presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that in 1999, Mr Bismarck Oduro contacted the accused to help him get in touch with a visa agent to secure a travel permit for his nephew to Italy.

The prosecutor said the accused introduced the complainant to Kyei Bafour, a visa agent who demanded 4,500 dollars for the job and which the complainant agreed to pay.

Inspector Otchere said the accused collected 1,500 dollars from the complainant for the agent, but gave him (the agent) only 10 dollars. The prosecutor said after Oduro's nephew had secured the visa and left for Italy, the agent demanded 1,400 dollars balance from the complainant.

When the complainant contacted the accused for the money intended for the visa agent he denied having ever collecting the money from him (complainant), and the case was reported to the police.