A businessman, who posed as a military officer from the Castle, Osu, and allegedly collected GH¢16,600 from a group of friends to purchase vehicles on auction at the Presidency for them appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday.
Musah Bukari Bukari, who pleaded not guilty to three counts of defrauding by false pretences was remanded into Police custody to re-appear on June 20.
Police Chief Inspector Charles Chester, prosecuting, said the accused introduced himself to Francis Yeboah, through complainant’s cousin, Lydia, as a military officer at the Castle and could help her to buy some vehicles being auctioned at the Castle.
He said Lydia informed the complainant who expressed interest in buying a Toyota Corolla which the accused said would cost GH¢3,500.
The prosecutor said the complainant agreed and immediately paid the money to the accused.
The complainant informed other friends including Eugene who savoured the idea of owing a Toyota Corolla and paid GH¢3,500 through the complainant to the accused.
Chief Inspector Chester said another friend of the complainant, Amos, told the accused that he was interested in buying a Toyota RAV 4 which the accused told him would cost GH¢9,600 and paid through the complaint.
He said the accused collected all the various monies from the complainant, but could not deliver with the explanation that there was a problem at the Castle therefore President Mills had ordered them to stop the auction until April 17, 2012.
Chief Inspector Chester said the complainant and his friends waited patiently for the accused but again failed, and efforts made by the complainant and his friends to collect their money from the accused proved futile, as he refused picking their calls and stopped visiting Lydia, who was his girl friend.
He said a complaint was lodged and the accused was arrested.**
