Contractors who used Veep's name charged with fraud

Accra, Aug. 30, GNA - A building contractor, who used the name of Vice President Aliu Mahama to defraud three people including a pastor of various sums of money appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday charged with fraud.

Alhaji Salisu Sana, who pleaded not guilty, was granted bail in the sum of 400 million cedis with a surety to be justified. The case has been adjourned to September 20 2006. Sana was charged on three counts of defrauding by false pretences to secure American visa, international driving licence and an air ticket for London.

The Prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abicham Boye told the Court that last February Linda Sarfo, a witness, introduced three people - Alex Spio Quansah, a Pastor; Ebenezer Frimpong and Issiah Spio Quansah - to Sana as a visa contractor, who could assist them to obtain American visas.

Sana told them that the Vice President was his brother and he could easily obtain a protocol visa for them in a short time. DSP Boye said based on this the complainants were convinced and each gave him various sums of money to secure them the visas and air tickets.

The Prosecutor said after collecting the money Sana went into hiding as he was unable to discharge his obligation. Sana was arrested this month by a team of Policemen from the Striking Force following a tip off.