MP for Sene and accomplice granted bail in gold case

Accra, April 30, GNA - Felix Twumasi-Appiah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Sene in the Brong Ahafo Region, and Juan Carlos, a Spanish national allegedly involved in a gold deal have been admitted to bail.

Appearing before a Circuit Court in Accra, the MP was admitted to 100,000 Ghana cedis self recognisance bail while Carlos was admitted to 150,000 Ghana cedis bail with three sureties to re-appear on Tuesday, May 18.

Twumasi-Appiah allegedly misrepresented himself to the police and succeeded in fraudulently causing the police to release 30,000 dollars meant for a Spanish businessman, Juan Francisco Osorio Lozano, to Juan Carlos, without the consent of Lozano.

Though the accused persons are charged with conspiracy, defrauding by false pretence and stealing, the court is yet to take their plea.

Arguing for bail, Mr. Joshua Nimako, Counsel for the accused persons contended that there is a new development in the matter and expressed the hope that by the time they return to the court at the next adjourned date, the said 30,000 dollars would have been paid and the matter resolved.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A. Dery did not object to granting of the bail, but informed the court that when granting bail, it should take into consideration the fact that Carlos is not a Ghanaian.

ASP Dery told the court that it should therefore be minded to ensure that sufficient sureties are provided by Carlos.

He said attempt to settle the amount did not mean a solution to the offence committed. Prosecution said Mr. Lozano, a Spanish businessman, who arrived in Ghana to transact business, was the complainant in the case. Sometime in March this year, Nana Kwame Donkor, a businessman transacted business with Mr. Lozano on behalf of

his company to supply gold worth 160,000 dollars in three tranches. However, after two supplies, Nana Donkor was unable to supply the third tranche of gold and promised to refund

the remaining amount to Mr. Lozano. Prosecution said Nana Donkor contacted the MP to help transfer the money back to the complainant in

instalments since it was impossible to transfer the amount in cash through the banks. The prosecutor said two cheques were therefore signed and left for the accused persons to facilitate the transfer. Nana Donkor however paid 30,000 dollars as part payment, to the Police to be given to the complainant. The MP and his accomplice went to the office of Superintendent of Police Yaa Tiwa Danso, Commander of Commercial

Crime Unit where Carlos claimed the complainant was sick and unable to travel to Ghana and had therefore instructed him

(Carlos) to collect the money on his behalf. Prosecution said with the MP of Sene in the frontline, the police did not suspect any foul play and subsequently released

the money to Carlos, only for the businessman to show up, demanding the money. 30 April 10