Businessman charged for duping trader

James Owusu Bediako aka Osei Akoto, a businessman who conspired with three others to dupe one Lawra Adossi Mortey of GH¢10,000 under the guise of selling him a vehicle was on Wednesday arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court.

The accomplices who are on the run are Adjei, Wallace and Moses.

The accused has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretences contrary to section 131 of Act 29/60.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢20,000 with three sureties. The case has been adjourned to April 19, 2012.

Prosecuting, Inspector A. Afetsi presenting the facts of the case said, the complainant Lawra Adossi Mortey is a trader who lives at Dzodze in the Volta Region whiles the accused James Owusu Bediako is a businessman.

He said in November 2011, the complainant was informed by her shop assistant that one Reuben also at Dzode had met a car dealer in Accra who was selling a Hyundai H100 at a cheaper price.

He said Reuben then gave the accused person’s cell phone number to the complainant who asked her to meet him in Accra.

Inspector Afetsi said on November 25, 2011, the complainant travelled to Accra and met the accused and three other accomplices who sent her and a witness to the Tema main harbour where a red mini Hyundai bus was shown to her.

He said the accused and his accomplices took the complainant to the Chemu Secondary School and collected a cash sum of GH¢10,000 as the cost of the vehicle and sneaked through the school and bolted.

He said a report was made to the Police and during investigations, the Police had information that accused had been arrested for a similar offence and was in Police custody at the Tesano Police Station.

Inspector Afetsi said the complainant identified accused as one of the persons who duped her.

He said accused in his caution statement admitted the crime and after investigations he was charged with the offence.**