Electrician jailed for fraud

Accra, June 14, GNA - A 30 year-old electrician, who collected 8.6 million cedis from three persons under the pretext of supplying them with meters from Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) but failed to do so was on Monday sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment with hard labour. Harry Shango, the Electrician, pleaded guilty to defrauding by false pretences.

The Court, presided over by Mrs Olivia Obeng-Owusu was told that the complainants were Mr Ayi Annan and Mr Robert Annan, both Drivers, residing at Weija, while Shango lived at Abeka.

Police Chief Inspector Peter Benneh said in December 2003, Shango, collected 1.7 and 1.3 million cedis from the complainants under the pretext of supplying them meters from ECG but failed to do so and went into hiding.

Shango was spotted at Abeka and the Police arrested him. On June 9, 2004, while he was in custody Mr Edward Obiaw, a Forestry Officer, staying at New Gbawe identified him as the one who introduced himself to him as an electrician working with ECG who could secure him meter from the Company.

Prosecution said Shango demanded 5.6 million cedis from Mr Obiaw and he readily paid the money.

The Prosecutor said Shango after receiving the money presented a receipt the Company purportedly issued to cover three million cedis. Prosecution said Mr Obiaw later went to the Offices of ECG in Awoshie and Avenor, respectively to ascertain the validity of the receipt but it came out that the receipts had been forged.

The forged receipt did not also bear the name of the complainant or the convict.

Shango failed to refund the money after the complainant had made several attempts to collect his money.