Two in remand over the sale of old schnapps bottle

Takoradi, March 2, GNA - A Takoradi Circuit Court on Wednesday remanded Daniel Agyapong, a miner, and Francis Kalue, a businessman, into prison custody for allegedly defrauding a hotel manager of GHC9, 600.

The two were charged with conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretence and are to re-appear on March 17. Prosecuting Inspector presided over by Mr. Kwasi Boakye that in October last year the complainant said he wanted an old schnapps bottle with an elephant label on it to buy and approached the second accused who said he had one to sell.

She said the complainant showed interest to buy and Agyapong prized the bottle at GHC20, 000 and after bargaining, the complainant agreed to pay GHC10, 000. Inspector Tibson said the complainant initially gave GHC9, 000 to Agyapong and promised to pay the rest in a week's time. The complainant was later presented with a bottle concealed in a black polythene bag and when he opened it later realized it was not what he wanted. The complainant called Agyapong on phone and informed him about the situation. He pleaded with him to exercise patience and that he would refund the money.

The prosecutor said Agyapong later sent an old 10 cedi note to the complainant to sell and defray the debt and this angered complainant. He reported the incident to the police and on November 12 last year Kalue was arrested. Agyapong, on hearing of the arrest, went into hiding but was arrested on February 8.