Man jailed two years for possessing fake currency

A Bawku Circuit Court on Tuesday sentenced Suleman Apoka, an unemployed man to two years imprisonment with hard labour for possessing fake Ghanaian currency notes.

The accused who hails from Zimbala near Bawku was caught on June 14, 2012 when he attempted to buy food with some of the notes in the market.

Police Sergeant Raphael Azenyitiga , prosecuting told the court in Bawku that the accused on June 13, 2012 sent one Rashid with a GH¢50.00 note to buy him food but the seller observed that the money was fake and alerted her husband , Mr Musah about it.

According to Sgt. Azenyitiga, the complainant went in the company of Rashid to the accused person’s house but they could not find him.

He stated that on June 14, 2012, the accused was seen at Bugre market shopping and was arrested by the complainant who then sent him to the Bugre Chief’s Palace from where he was later handed over to the police.

Sgt. Azenyitiga told the court that a search conducted on the accused by the police revealed GH¢1,050.00, all in fifty Ghana Cedis denominations.

The Prosecutor said the notes found on him were sent to the Tamale branch of the Bank of Ghana for further examination and it was confirmed that they were fake notes.

The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Kofi Sunu, charged the accused with the offence of possessing fake currency contrary to section 18 sub- section one of the currency acts (Act 242 of 1964) and sentenced Apoka to two years imprisonment.