Driver held for defrauding students

A taxi driver, who allegedly collected GH¢1,000 each from nine senior high students under the pretext of enlisting them into the Ghana Armed Forces, on Monday appeared before a circuit court in Accra.

Bismark Saka Bempong, in his bid to refund his victims money, issued a dud cheque. Charged with defrauding by false pretences and issuing of false cheque, Bempong pleaded not guilty. The court, presided over by Ms Ellen Vivian Amoah, admitted Bempong to bail in the sum of 20,000 Ghana cedis with three sureties.

He is to reappear on July 21. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Michael Jubiok said on October 15, last year, Bempong met the complainants and told them that he had a direct connection with a Brigadier of the Ghana Armed Forces and as such has been given protocol to produce 15 persons to be enlisted into the Army.

Prosecution said the accused person told the students that they were required to pay 1,000 Ghana cedis each in addition to passport pictures and certificates. According to the prosecutor, the accused person then told the students they would be called within a month for training.

Prosecution said Bempong after collecting the student’s money failed to honour his promise and in May this year, Bempong issued a Cheque of GH¢9,000 but that was dishonoured by the bank when the student’s presented it on June 23, this year. A report was made to the Police and accused person was arrested.