Fake “Police officer” charged for fraud

Mohammed Abu, unemployed, who allegedly collected sums of money totaling GH¢13,150 from some people, under the pretence of enlisting them into the Police Service, was on Monday remanded by a circuit court in Accra.

He was believed to have introduced himself to traders, security guards and shop owners in Accra as a senior Police officer with the responsibility of enlisting people into the Police Service.

Abu was charged with falsely pretending to be a public officer, six counts of defrauding by false pretences and three counts of fictitious trading, contrary to section 135 of Act 1960/29.

He pleaded not guilty and would re-appear before court on October 24, 2012.

Chief Inspector Charles Chester told the court presided over by Mrs Patience Mills-Tetteh that the complainants were traders and private security officers.

He said the accused introduced himself to his victims as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, working at the third floor of the Police Headquarters, and was tasked to recruit drivers into the Police service.

Chief Insp Chester said in June 2012, the accused collected GH¢3,100, GH¢3,170, GH¢1,200, GH¢1,000, and GH¢400 from Mohammed Yussif, Moses Anibaturo Nabare, Ishmael Dadzie, Robert Dadzie and Isaac Golightly respectively to recruit them into the Police service.

The prosecution said the accused also collected from the victims two passport sized photographs each, photocopies of driver’s licenses, educational certificates and result slips.

Chief Insp. Chester said the accused approached Bernard Tetteh, a security officer at the Judicial Service and collected GH¢400 to auction a motor bike for him from the Police Headquarters.

The prosecution said the accused also introduced himself to other victims as Chief Inspector Adams stationed at the Visa Fraud Unit, Police Headquarters, and collected three Sony digital cameras each from Isaac Golightly and Kojo Asante Danso valued at GH¢1,450 and GH¢1,200.

Chief Insp. Chester said the accused collected a camera and two Samsung mobile phones from Splendy Okla valued at GH¢610 and promised that the unit Commander would give him money for payment.

The prosecution said Abu after committing the various crimes went into hiding at “One Stone” Guest House at Tabora , a suburb of Accra.

Chief Insp. Chester said on October 9, 2012, at about 18hours, the accused was spotted at graphic road, Accra, by the complainants and they immediately arrested Abu and handed him over to the Police.

The prosecution said when a search was conducted on the accused at the Police station, a recruitment application form with serial number NOROO7O1711 bearing the name Aminu Mohammed, two mobile phones, GH¢620 and a toy pistol.

He said a further search by the Police at the “One Stone” Guest House room where he was lodging, revealed eight copies of recruitment form with the same serial number NOROO7O1711 on them, 13 blank Police extract forms, three copies of birth certificates, copies of testimonial, copies of results slips and educational certificates of the applicants.

The prosecution said copies of dismissal letters of two Policemen namely Constable Seth Quaye and Constable Stephen Baffoe as well as three passport size photographs of prospective applicants were also found.