Businessman granted GH¢300,000 bail over alleged gold fraud
The Accra Circuit Court has granted GH¢300,000 bail with two sureties to a businessman, accused of issuing dud cheque and defrauding victims of US$20,000, in gold transaction.
Nana Kwaku Agyempin Otu III allegedly took US$20,000 and GH¢30,000 from Madam Louisa Shadeya Dewar and Mr Calvin Enoch Kumah, respectively, under the pretext of supplying them with gold for business purposes.
The court presided over by Mr Isaac Oheneba Kuffour ordered that one of the sureties be justified with a movable or immovable title deed.
In the absence of that, the court ordered that a civil servant, earning not less than GH¢3,000 a month can be used as justification.
Nana Agyempin Otu III, who has denied the charges of defrauding by false pretence and issuing of dud cheque for GH¢140,000, would re-appear before court on October 23, 2023.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Evans Kesse, said that Madam Dewar, the first complainant, was a businesswoman, living in Cantonments, Accra.
The court heard that Mr Kumah, the second complainant, is the Chief Executive Officer of Boston Premier Microfinance Limited, and a resident of Dome, Accra.
DSP Kesse said that both complainants were business partners and Nana Otu, accused, is a businessman, based in Accra.
The prosecution said that in 2018, Nana Otu was introduced to Madam Dewar, by her friend as someone who could supply her (first complainant) gold.
DSP Kesse said accused demanded and collected US$20,000 and GH¢30,000 from Madam Dewar, to supply her (first complainant) gold, but failed to deliver on his promise.
The prosecution said prior to the collection of the money, Madam Dewar introduced accused to her business partner, Mr Kumah.
DSP Kesse said in March 2022, Nana Otu collected US$5,000 from Mr Kumah and issued a post-dated UMB Bank cheque for GH¢140.000 to Mr Kumah.
The court heard that the cheque was dishonoured when it was presented at the UMB Bank, and attempts by the complainants to get their monies from accused proved futile.
DSP Kesse said complainants reported the case to the police, and accused failed to honour invitation by the police and rather went into hiding.
The prosecution said the police after arresting accused for defrauding people by false pretences, realised he (Nana Otu) had no place of abode, and was shuttling from one hotel to another. — GNA
