Man granted 50 million cedis bail over visa fraud.

Tema, Feb. 18, GNA- A man fraudulently collected 4,500 dollars from a block manufacturer to assist him obtain a visa to London has been granted 50 million cedis bail at Tema Circuit Court "B".

Charles Osei Ofori alias Osei Boateng pleaded not guilty to defraud by false pretences and will reappear on February 20, 2004.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Alice Gyamfi told the court that sometime in October 2002, the complainant was at his block factory when a sister of Ofori, now in Germany came to buy blocks. The prosecution said sister of the accused person, Emilia Debrah informed the complainant that she knew someone who would assist him to obtain a British visa.

Emilia drove him to Ofori's house in Kaneshie in Accra, and introduced him to the complainant as the contact man. Ofori charged him 4,500 U.S. dollars for a visa and ticket.

Inspector Gyamfi said Ofori therefore, asked him to pay 2,000 U.S. dollars and 26 million cedis and took his passport bearing the name Christian Asem.

Later Ofori phoned complainant that his documents as well as his travelling ticket were ready, and would call him to meet him at the Kotoka International Airport but this did not materialise and since then the accused had gone into hiding.

Inspector Gyamfi said on May 21, 2003 complainant and his Uncle went to community 12 where they found Ofori and caused his arrest.