'Police officer' jailed 18 years for fraud

An unemployed man who posed as a police officer and swindled three people of GH¢7,650.00, has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by the Nkawie Circuit Court.

Kwame Atta, alias Jeff, who collected Gh¢3,650.00 from two of his victims, Daniel Awuah and Francis Afriyie, under the pretext of assisting them to join the Ghana Police Service, pleaded guilty to defrauding by false pretence.

The third person, Jennifer Nyame, girlfriend of Atta, released GH¢4,000.00, following a promise by the boy friend to get her a car.

Police Chief Inspector Ekow Hanson told the court presided over by Justice William Boampong that, the convict had traveled on a taxi with Jennifer in December last year from Abuakwa-Maakro to Kwanfinfi in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District.

The court heard that Atta after introducing himself to Nyame as a police officer stationed at Suame in Kumasi, the two became lovers.

Chief Insp. Hanson said Atta frequently visited Nyame at Kwanfinfi, where he came into contact with Awuah, a junior brother of Nyame, who expressed interest in joining the police service.

The prosecution said Atta took Gh¢1,400.00 from Awuah and GH¢2,250.00 from Afriyie, with the assurance of getting them recruited into the police.

Chief Insp. Hanson said Atta took GH¢4,000.00. from Nyame and promised to get her a car.

Atta failed to fulfill his promise and went into hiding until February 28, when he was arrested at Gyankobaa, dressed in police uniform.