Shai Chief in court for fraud

Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - A Divisional Chief who allegedly defrauded an American businessman of 45,000 dollars under the pretext of leasing him 260 hectares at Dodowa on Wednesday appeared at an Accra Circuit Court charged with fraud.

Nene Akrasi Korda II, a Divisional Chief of Shai Traditional Council, pleaded not guilty.

The court admitted him to 400 million cedis bail with one surety to reappear on February 7.

The Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Abavelim told the court that the complainant Mr Cleo Cliff Daniels, who is a farmer lived in the United States of America while the accused was also the Managing Director of New Generation Farms Ghana Limited. The Prosecution said in March 2005, Mr Daniels approached Nene Korda II to lease 260 hectares at Dodowa for commercial farming. The Prosecutor said Nene Korda II, who was then the Head of the Manya Family, offered to give Mr Daniels the land for 500,000 dollars for 50 years and subsequently entered into an agreement. Mr Daniels made a part payment of 45,000 dollars and receipts covering the payment were prepared and signed by Nene Akorda II on behalf of the Manya Family. However, when Mr Daniels attempted to develop the land, seven members from the Manya Family resisted claiming that portions of the land belonged to them. The case was reported to the Police and Nene Akorda was arrested. Nene Akorda II has since refunded 15,000 dollars. 11 Jan. 05