Tribunal remands four in prison custody

Bibiani (W/R), Sept. 6, GNA - Four persons, who attempted to defraud a Priestess of 10 million cedis have been remanded in prison custody by the Bibiani Community Tribunal.

They pleaded not guilty to attempting to defraud and are to reappear on September seven. A fifth person is on the run. They are Calvin Nana Adu, 33, an electrician, David Ackah, 35, a trader and electrician, Yaw Okyere, 35, also an electrician and Kwaku Stephen, 36, a purchasing clerk of UNICROP Company.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Charles Cudjoe told the tribunal, chaired by Mr Benjamin Yaw Osei, that sometime in August the five persons introduced themselves to Madam Afua Badu, the Priestess, that they were from Kumasi and work with a White man and that they deal in currencies.

He said they then told the Priestess that they had come to do something for her and, therefore, asked her to give them 10 million cedis so that they would make it 35 million cedis for her. Chief Inspector Cudjoe said this request alarmed Madam Badu, who told them that she was not interested in the transaction.

When they realised that the Priestess was not interested in their business, they told her that a Policeman at Bibiani had collected all the money on them and, therefore, wanted her to perform some rituals in order to get their money back, he added.

Chief Inspector Cudjoe said the Madam Badu, who was surprised at the behaviour of the accused persons left them and reported to the Police, who arrested them.