A Businessman, Nana Kweku Akyempim III, was on Thursday arraigned for conspiring with three others, Caleb Samenu Tamfu, Nana Frimpong Obese, and Samuel Lincoln Agyeman, who’s at large , to defraud one Vinay Sukhija of an amount of US$ 110,000.00.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges of conspiracy and defrauding by false pretense, and was granted bail in the sum of GHc 450,000.00 with one surety to be justified.
The case has since been adjourned to May 24.
The facts of the case as presented by Chief Superintendent Duuti Tuaruka was that, the complainant, Vinay, is an Indian Businessman, while the accused is also a businessman and a traditional ruler at Gomoa Abasa in the Central Region.
He said in December 2015, the complainant was introduced to Caleb by one Dr. Kapil Mathur currently in London through social media.
Caleb convinced the complainant to come to Ghana and do gold business, so upon arrival he met him at Fiesta Royal Hotel, and personally introduced himself as an International gold dealer.
The prosecution said the complainant was convinced and so decided to buy 50 kilograms of gold bars from him, worth GHc 1.6 million.
Caleb then gave his bank details to the complainant at GT Bank, Ridge Branch, bearing the name Brair Cliff.
Chief Superintendent Tuaruka said between December 17 and 22, 2015, based on the presentation made by Caleb, the complainant parted with various sums of money, totaling US$ 110,000.00 as part payment through the said account for the purchase of the 50 kilograms of gold bars.
He told the court that in the course of interrogation, it came to light that it was a collaborative effort between Caleb, Nana Frimpong, Nana Kweku and Samuel to collect the money from the complainant.
He said on May 3, 2016, Caleb was arrested from his hideout at Hill view Hotel and handed over to the Ministries Police where an official complaint was made. On July 7, 2016, Nana Frimpong was arrested.
Nana Kweku, who failed to turn up upon several invitations by the Ministries Police Station, was finally arrested at the Kotoka International Airport on May 2, 2017, while going on a business trip to Dubai.
The prosecution said during investigations, the three mentioned Samuel as their accomplice. He was called on phone to report at the Ministries Police station but he refused.
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Source: GNA