Frenchman Weeps in Court

Tony Dager, a Frenchman standing trial at the Bolgatanga Circuit Court for stealing 200,000 CFA francs broke down and wept bitterly yesterday when he was remanded in Police custody for failing to get someone to execute his bail bond.

The Frenchman shed tears as he sat waiting to go back to Police custody to re-appear today.

Dager is charged with stealing the money from his host, Alhaji Issaka, a transport owner of Bolgatanga. He pleaded not guilty and insisted that one Zinabu, the daughter-in law of Issaka, loaned 100,000 CFA francs out of the said 200,000 CFA Francs to him.

The court presided over by Mr S.A. Kuoro remanded the accused in Police custody on July 10.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector James Owusu told the court that the accused was staying with a friend, Yaw Doe, in Bolgatanga but Alhaji Issaka asked him to move into his house.

Inspector Owusu said the host later left for Accra and sent the money to his wife in Bolgatanga but when it was brought she was not at home.

Zinabu collected the money and Dager assisted her to count it after which she put it into a drawer in the sitting room that Dager used as his dining room.

He said Dager later gave his clothes to Zinabu to wash for him. After washing the clothes, Zinabu did not see Dager to give back his clothes to him.

Alhaji Issaka's wife later saw Dager in Kumasi and caused his arrest by the Police at the Zongo Police Station, who later sent him to Bolgatanga to stand trial.

Zinabu, who appeared as a prosecution witness, denied giving Dager a loan.