Sekondi, Nov 10, GNA- A Sekondi Circuit Court on Monday granted 50 million cedis bail to Thomas Sarkwa, a driver, who appeared before it for allegedly conspiracy and defrauding by false pretences. Sarkwa pleaded not guilty to both charges and would re-appear on November 25.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Ben Wonkyi told the court that Sarkwa learnt that the complainant, Nicholas Adjei, a mechanic at Tractor and Equipment Company in Takoradi, was planning to pursue further studies in engineering in the United States.

He said sometime in October, Sarkwa and a friend, whose name was given as Nana and is now at large, approached Adjei at his home at Amanful and told him that they could help him secure a visa and other travelling documents to the United States for a fee.

Inspector Wonkyi said the accused persons settled on a charge of 40 million cedis and Adjei made part payment of 5,000,000 cedis and 2,300 dollars.

He said Adjei could not trace both Sarkwa and Nana after he had made the payment and later reported the matter to the Police.