Alleged money doubler granted 88 million cedis bail

Cape Coast, Aug. 23, GNA - Benjamin Ashun, a herbalist in Cape Coast, who allegedly defrauded a physically challenged man of 87 million cedis under the pretext of doubling the amount for him, was on Wednesday granted 88 million cedis bail with two sureties to be justified, by a circuit court in Cape Coast.

Ashun, a resident of Tantri, a suburb in Cape Coast, pleaded not guilty and is to re-appear on Wednesday September 13. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Hope Azasoo told the court presided over by Mr Beresford Acquah that, the complainant, Mr Emmanuel Eshun, is unemployed and resident at Ankaful.

He alleged that Mr Eshun, has a Belgian friend, who had been sending him money for his upkeep, and that the accused somehow, got wind of it and that on June 8 this year, he managed to convince Mr Eshun to hand over the money that had been sent to him to be doubled. Chief Inspector Azasoo also alleged that the two men, consequently "signed an agreement" to seal the deal, after which the accused gave Mr Eshun a ring to wear, telling him that it would make the doubled money appear in his room.

He further alleged that the accused then took the money home to perform some rituals and assured Mr Eshun that the money would be doubled within three weeks.

He said after the three weeks had expired, Mr Eshun waited for some time and went to the accused's house on Friday, August 11 to demand the money, but the accused asked him to return in three days' time for it.

Chief Inspector Azasoo said Mr Eshun went to the accused's house on the appointed day only to discover that he had absconded and through his own investigations got to know that he was hiding at a Guest House at Brafoyaw, near Cape Coast and informed the police. He said when the police went there to arrest him, they found a wooden box containing two live snakes, which he claimed ownership, in his room and during interrogation claimed that he took 84 million cedis and not 87 million cedis from Mr Eshun. Chief Inspector Azasoo said the snakes are in the custody of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife of the University of Cape Coast.