Former magistrate before Court

Accra, July 20, GNA - A former juvenile court magistrate, who was allegedly involved in multiple sale of land, on Monday appeared before a circuit court in Accra.

Anna Jane Ghartey failed to appear before the court presided over by Mr. Mahamadu Iddrisu when the case was called on July 14 and the court ordered her arrest. The court revoked the bench warrant for the arrest of the former magistrate when she re-surfaced at court. The court admitted Ghartey and Samuel Aidoo, a contractor, who were in the dock to a bail in the sum of GH¢30,000 with two sureties each. The accused who were being held for conspiracy, two counts of defrauding by false pretences, forgery of documents and uttering forged documents pleaded not guilty.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mary Agbozo, told the court that sometime in December 2006, Ghartey sold two plots of land to Professor Joseph Adjaye, who resides in the US for GH¢11,000. Prosecution said Ghartey claimed the land belonged to Rose Agbo who had instructed her to sell it on her behalf. ASP Agbozo said soon after the sale, Ghartey prepared documents in respect of the land and gave it to the complainant. Prosecution said documents prepared on the land were later found to be forged.

ASP Agbozo said Ghartey promised to replace the two plots of land but she failed to do so and also failed to refund the money to the complainant.

In another case, Ghartey and two others sold another plot of land to a Swiss national, Ms. Darcie Slavin for 47,000 dollars but when the complainant went to develop the land, she was prevented by the owner. Ghartey together with her accomplices, Sam Aidoo and Joana Nyarko, a fishmonger, are being held for conspiracy and defrauding by false pretences.

They have pleaded not guilty and are on GH¢40,000 bail with two sureties to reappear on July 28.