Nigerian remanded for impersonating the Chief Justice and defrauding

A Nigerian businessman, who impersonated the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, to defraud a Singaporean of $ 50,000 dollars, on Friday appeared before a Circuit Court in Accra.

The businessman, Eddy Awala, allegedly convinced the complainant that he would secure him Government contract and purchase some gold for him.

Awala pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences.

The court presided over by Ms Audrey Kocuvie Tay remanded him in Police custody to re-appear on Wednesday, April 18.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Aidan Dery said the complainant Ben Lekhenia is a Singaporean.

He said sometime in March this year, Awala and four others, now at large, lured the complainant into the country and he lodged at La Palm Royale Hotel.

ASP Dery said the accused used the name and pictures of the Chief Justice indicating that she was involved in the business deal, and managed to support same with judicial documents for the alleged business deal.

The prosecution said the complainant became convinced of the business transaction and parted with $50,000 to enable him to secure the contract and purchase gold.

ASP Dery said the alleged business deal did not materialise and the complainant lodged a complaint with the Police and Awala was arrested.**