Court fines swindler

The Akim Oda Magistrate’s Court has imposed a fine of GH?800 on Gladys Akua Amponsah from Agona Swedru, who swindled two women of a total sum of GH?6,310 or in default serve 36 months in jail.

Gladys managed to convince the complainants that she was going to lodge their money at the Akim Oda branches of the Barclays and the Ghana Commercial Banks.

The court asked the 29-year-old unemployed to pay the fine for defrauding Madam Akua Addae of GH?3,910 at the entrance of the Barclays Bank and Madam Jennifer Okyere of GH?2,400 also at the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB), both at Akim Oda.

She has earlier refunded the cash to the complainants.

The trial judge, Mr. Albert Owusu Annor, remanded Akua Amponsah in prison custody, when she first appeared before the court.

Police Chief Inspector Kwadwo Ahenkorah said at about 1000 hours, on May 21, Madam Akua Addae went to the Akim Oda branch of the Barclays Bank to deposit GH?3,910, but Gladys managed to convince Akua that she (Gladys) was an employee of the bank and could assist her to deposit the money.

He stated that Akua felt relieved from the long queue and so handed over the money to Gladys. In a move to outwit the unsuspecting customer, Gladys gave her GH?10.00 to buy some handkerchiefs for the bank manager, but when she returned Gladys had absconded.

Chief Inspector Ahenkorah said Akua who was peeved with this action, sought the assistance of the Police guard on duty at the bank to help trace Gladys. The Police rang the two Police barriers at Akim Oda and described Gladys physical appearance at the time.

He said the Police on barrier duty at the Akim Asanteman near Akim Oda, arrested Gladys who was travelling from Akim Oda to Agona Swedru, and when she was searched the money was found in her handbag.

The prosecutor said the convict was then sent to the Akim Oda Police Station where the complainants identified her, adding that during interrogations, she denied that she was operating alongside other syndicates.

The Chief Inspector said Gladys used the same trick to defraud Madam Jennifer Okyere of GH?2,400 at the Oda branch of the GCB last week when Jennifer also identified her after her arrest.**