Self-style military officer dupes three

Akim Swedru (E/R), Sept 9, GNA - Thomas Boateng, a building contractor, who posed as a Warrant Officer Class One (WO1), in the Ghana Army, has defrauded three people of GH¢1,350.00, under the pretext of securing them job at TV3 in Accra, has been remanded in prison custody by the Akim Swedru Circuit Court.

Boateng, 42, pleaded not guilty to impersonation and three counts of fraud and would reappear on September 14.

Police Chief Inspector Charles N. Quaye told the court presided over by Mr Kofi Akrowiah that, the complainants, Mr Francis Yarko and Mr Kennedy Oppong, photographers, and Madam Cynthia Dede, a trader, live in the same town at Akim Aboabo near Akim Oda.

Inspector Quaye said about two months ago, Boateng met the complainants and introduced himself to them as a Warrant Officer in the Ghana Army and a representative in the Office of the President at the Osu Castle in Accra.

He said Boateng managed to convince Mr Yarko, Mr Oppong and Madam Dede and collected GH¢350.00, GH¢450.00 and GH¢550.00 respectively from them, in order to secure them highly paid jobs at an Accra-based TV3 station.

According to him, the accused demanded extra monies from the complainants, in order to rent rooms for them, but this heightened their suspicions and on August 27, this year they made a report to the Police.