American businesswoman gives evidence in fraud case

Accra (Greater Accra), 19 Feb '99

Miss Maria Socorro Aranetta, an American businesswoman, who was duped of 330,000 dollars by four persons in a gold deal, on Thursday told an Accra circuit court that she met one of the accused in California, U.S., who promised to sell her 150 kilograms of alluvial gold dust. Miss Aranetta, the first prosecution, witness, was testifying in the case in which Nana Kweku Anim-Addo, Charles Kwabena Kusi and Kofi Edusei, all directors of Dredge Masters Limited , a mining company and Alhaji Abubakari Marga, a businessman, are charged with five counts of conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences and forgery of documents. On trial with the accused persons is their mining company. They have all pleaded not guilty and are in custody.

Led in evidence by Mr Theophilus Codjoe, a prosecutor at the office of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Miss Aranetta said on November 24, 1997, Anim-Addo went to California where her business associate, Mr Salam Hahadbi, introduced him as a businessman in Ghana. Witness said Anim-Addo told her that he was an "agent" of the Government, chairman of the board of Royal Goldfields Limited, a mining company, an exporter of precious minerals and a traditional ruler. Anim-Addo said he also owned several mineral concessions and mines in Ghana.

Miss Aranetta said Anim-Addo again told her that he had 150 kilograms of alluvial gold dust ready to be shipped outside Ghana. Miss Aranetta said she and her family agreed to do business with Anim-Addo and expressed the desire to enter into joint venture with him. Witness said on November 27, 1997, Anim-Addo left California for Ghana and in March, 1998, he called her on phone and they both discussed the possibility of going into partnership with her company, Sanpatuita Global Incorporated.

She said the accused person told her that he had set up a new mining company, Dredge Masters, which would do business with her company. Miss Aranetta said Anim-Addo again told her in May, 1998, that he would send all relevant documents covering the export of the 150 kilograms of the gold to her in California. Hearing continues on Monday, February 22. GRi.../