Unemployed in court for swindling ECG official

Kofi Nkansah, unemployed, on Monday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing a Hyundai Elantra saloon car belonging to an official of Electricity Company of Ghana.

Nkansah is said to have requested to test-drive the car and when the owner of the vehicle was about to sit in the front seat for the test-drive, Nkansah bolted with the vehicle, valued at GH¢40,000.00.

Luck, however, eluded him when he was nabbed by the Police at Nungua during a similar operation. Charged with stealing, Nkansah had pleaded not guilty.

The Court, presided over by Mrs Jane Harriet Akweley Quaye, admitted Nkansah to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000.00 with two sureties who should be gainfully employed.

Nkansah is expected to reappear on September 28. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Emmanuel Haligah said the complainant, Issifu Hammator, resided in Accra whiles Nkansah stayed at Bekwai.

Chief Inspector Haligah said on June 15, last year, Mr. Hammator cleared his vehicle at the Port with the intention to sell same.

On June 19, last year, at about 0700 hours, prosecution said the complainant was driving his unregistered vehicle and whiles in traffic at Awoshie, a hawker approached him that someone in a car behind him had asked him (the hawker) to find out for him if the complainant was selling the car.

Prosecution said the complainant responded in the affirmative so the hawker took his number and gave it to the accused person.

Later, prosecution said the complainant received a call from someone that he was asking his mechanic to come and inspect the car and they both agreed to meet at Dzorwulu, near Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra.

On June 20, last year, at about 1000 hours, Nkansah emerged as the mechanic who had been sent by his master to inspect the car. Nkansah then joined the complainant and they both drove through town.

On their return, Nkansah requested that he should be allowed to drive himself while the complaint sat at the front seat.

Prosecution said the complainant obliged. However, in the complainant’s attempt to move to the front seat, Nkansah sped off with the vehicle.

According to prosecution, efforts to trace Nkansah had proved futile. On July 11, this year, the Police had information that Nkansah has been arrested at Nungua over a similar offence.

Prosecution said the complainant was informed and when he went to Nungua Police Station he identified the accused as the one who bolted with his vehicle.