Trader in court over container load of margarine

Augustina Koomson, a trader who is alleged to have stolen a container load of margarine valued at GH?99, 187.00 at East Legon, in Accra on Monday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Augustina aka Mavis Antwi aka Mama Akos is being held on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime, stealing and issuing false cheques. Her accomplice one David is at large.

She has pleaded not guilty. The court presided over by Ms Eva Bannerman –Williams admitted Augustina to a bail of GH? 200,000.00 with three sureties one to be justified.

She is expected to reappear on August 31.

Augustina‘s counsel prayed the court for bail as his client had been in the custody of the Police for six days.

According to counsel, Augustina has not been well and she has been taking drugs since the day of her arrest.

Counsel contended that the charges preferred against her did not constitute those that bail should not be granted.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Francis Terkpetey told the court that Valentine Unegbu is a businessman. During the month of June last year, he imported a multipurpose margarine known as “Bornean Whister” into the country for sale.

Chief Inspector Terkpetey said on June 3, 2014, while on a business trip in Cameroon, he received a phone call from Augustina, requesting to buy a container load of margarine which translates into 1,587 cartons of 10 kilogrammes costing GH?62.50 per carton at a cost of GH? 99, 187.00.

Prosecution said the complainant directed his office assistant, who is a witness in the case, to offer the necessary assistance to the accused and deliver same on condition that she makes full payment of the goods.

According to prosecution, Augustina and her accomplice David rented a shop at Tesano where the goods were offloaded.

After the goods were delivered, Accused agreed to meet the complainant who had arrived from Cameroon and his assistant at Fiesta Royale Hotel.

At the hotel, prosecution said Augustina issued three separate cheques with face value of GH?30,000.00, GH?30,000.00 and GH?13,700.00.

The balance of GH?25,000.00 was to be paid the following morning.

When the cheques were presented at GT Bank by the complainant they were found to be fake.

Chief Inspector Terkpetey said when the complainant and his assistant rushed to the warehouse, the good had been evacuated by Augustina and David to an unknown destination.

On August 11, this year, Augustina was traced and was arrested at Pokuase.

Prosecution said efforts were being made to apprehend David, Augustina’s accomplice.