Businessman granted bail for fraud

The Tarkwa Circuit Court on Friday granted bail in the sum of Ghc30,000 to a 52-year-old businessman, Howard William Amekudzi, for allegedly defrauding by false pretense. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and will re-appear before the court on February 9.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr Justice Obeng Asante that, Madam Paulina Darko Budu,the complainant, is a businesswoman residing at Kwabadu, a suburb of Tarkwa.

He said on March 2013, the accused, who stays at Adakope in Takoradi collected ten pieces of ‘42’ inch flat screen television sets, one deep freezer, two table top fridges and one ‘32’ inch flat screen television set all estimated at Ghc22,600 from the complainant to sell them to a woman in Takoradi.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said after selling the items, he collected all the money involved, but failed to send the money to the complainant as arranged.

He said the complainant reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested for questioning.

Chief Amponsah said the accused told the police that he was defrauded by his own uncle, one Paul Ahlidza, a staff of Ecobank, Tema Community one branch, when he went to pay the money into the complainant’s account.

He said the accused person also claimed that he has reported the incident to the Tema Community one police station, and it’s under investigation.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said the accused also told the Police that he has already made part payment of Ghc7,000 to the complainant and was left with a balance of Ghc15,600 to settle.