Two granted bail in fake currency case

Accra, June 21, GNA - Two persons allegedly involved in the smuggling of fake currencies with face values of 376,000 dollars and 20.8 million CFA Francs into the country on Monday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Sampson Olabisi, Driver, was charged with unlawful importation of fake currencies and possessing fake notes while Naimatu Wahab, Trader, was charged with receiving forged notes.

They all pleaded not guilty.

The Court presided over by Mrs Wilhemina Hammond admitted Olabisi to a 100 million cedis bail with a surety to be justified. He is to report to the Accra Central Police every Monday.

Naimatu was admitted to a 200 million cedis bail with a surety to be justified. They are to reappear on July 15.

Earlier, Nii Oko, a Defence Counsel for Olabisi, prayed the Court to admit his client to bail since Olabisi did not know the content of the goods offered to him and added that his client would cooperate with the Police.

Alhaji Nuuhu Billa, Counsel for Naimatu, also prayed the court to grant his client to bail adding Naimatu had relatives who lived at Akim Oda and were also prepared to provide substantial sureties.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abicham Boye said that on June 1, at about 0950hours, a Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) Officer attached to the Vehicle Examination Section at the Aflao Border, escorted Olabisi, a Driver of Peugeot 505 estate car with registration number GR 8444 H to its investigation unit at the Aflao Border.

Prosecution said, Olabisi had on him bundles of fake currencies with the face values of 376,000 dollars and 20,838,000 CFA Francs wrapped in brown papers and concealed in a brown fertilizer bag.

During interrogation, Olabisi said a woman, whose name he did not disclose, gave the luggage to him in Lagos to be delivered to Naimatu, whom he did not know but was asked to call on phone on arrival. Officers from Aflao, Dabala as well as a taskforce in Accra jointly arrested Naimatu in front of Kings Hotel at Tudu, where she was waiting to collect the fake notes. 21 June 04