Nigerian Businessman remanded for fraud

Accra, March 1, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday remanded into prison custody a 45-year-old Nigerian Businessman for defrauding an American firm of 20,000 euros and issuing a dud cheque. Preston Dele Ale, whose plea was not taken, is alleged to have issued a bank of Ireland cheque to pay for 16 laptop computers, 200 HP desk jet ink cartridges and an HP Scan jet. He is to reappear on March 3.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Benedicta Akolgo said on February 7, the Police was informed that Ale, who allegedly owns Family Health Plan International, had fraudulently issued a cheque to acquire computers, which had been shipped to Ghana. The Prosecution said the Police went to the DHL Office at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Cargo Section and arrested a clearing agent, who had two boxes of three pieces of Sony laptop computers in his possession. The Prosecutor said investigations led to the arrest of Ale at KIA car Park.

During interrogation Ale disclosed that it was his Nigerian friend, who supplied him with the cheques and lured him to import the computers and cartridges. Ale further stated that his friend also advised him to import the computers through Ghana's Port because it was cheaper. Ale also led the Police to his house at Osu where 13 boxes of HP ink cartridges, a Sony laptop, which were earlier on shipped to him, were found. The Prosecution said further investigations revealed that Family Health Plan International did not exist and that the name of the company was used as a conduit pipe for the importation of the stolen computers. The Clearing Agent is now a Prosecution Witness.