Impostor charged for stealing

Asamankese, Feb. 5, GNA-Danso Kwapong, a farmer, who posed as an official of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and collected a total of GH¢20 as tax from three persons have appeared before the Asamankese Circuit court charged with stealing.

Kwapong, 40, who pleaded guilty, was convicted on his own plea, but was given a week to refund the money before being sentenced. Prosecuting, Police Inspector Kate Ogyiri said, in October last year, Kwapong introduced himself as an official of the IRS, to three persons at Mepom, Adeiso and Asuokaw and succeeded in collecting five Ghana cedis, ten Ghana cedis and five Ghana cedis from Doris Kadan, Margaret Obenewaa and Samuel Otoo respectively. Kwapong issued receipts from a receipt book of the Ghana Union Traders Association, Asamankese to the victims. A few days later, however, IRS Officials on their rounds to collect taxes were shown the receipts issued by the accused. Both IRS and GUTA Officials denied knowledge of the receipt and a report was made to the police.

In the course of investigations, Kwapong who was once employed by GUTA was arrested and the complainants identified him as the culprit. In a caution statement to the Police, he admitted the offence. When the Judge, Mr Kofi Akrowiah asked him to produce the money, he said "I have used it to treat my rheumatism". He was therefore given a week to produce the money before being sentenced.