Carpenter remanded over alleged GH¢300,000 land fraud
A 51-year-old carpenter, who allegedly collected GH¢300,000 from an entrepreneur under the pretext of providing him land for a factory, but failed, has been remanded into police custody by the Circuit Court.
Solomon Boye Borquaye, accused, is said to have collected the money to provide 9.81 acres of land at Oyibi to the complainant.
Charged with defrauding by false pretenses, Borquaye pleaded not guilty and is expected to reappear before court on August 10, 2023.
Mr J. K. Yeboah, who represented Borquaye, prayed for bail for his client, saying accused had a fixed place of abode and would turn up in court when granted bail.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Richard Amoah, opposed bail application for accused.
The prosecution told the court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah thatBorquaye’s conduct before another Circuit Court indicated that he would not be available for trial.
The accused was, therefore, remanded by the trial judge.
The case of prosecution is that the complainant name withheld is a 33-year-old entrepreneur and a resident of Osu, Accra, while accused resides at Oyibi.
The prosecution said in August 2020, the complainant wanted to buy land for the construction of a factory.
The court heard that a land agent led the complainant to accused,who agreed to offer 9.81 acres of land at Oyibi at a cost of GH¢1,200,000 to complainant.
The prosecution said the complainant entered into an agreement that an initial deposit of GH¢300,000 would be made and the rest paid later.
It said on August 24, 2020, Sampson Aaron Dontoh, a Director of SPB Development Company, went to the land, which was being developed and claimed ownership.
The prosecution said Mr Dontoh indicated that the said land had been registered in the name of his company and same was affected by Land Title Certificate.
The complainant informed the accused about the development, and Borquaye offered him another land, but Ibrahim Mahama also claimed ownership of it.
The prosecution said the complainant reported the matter to the police and when accused was invited by the police, he failed to show up.
The court heard attempts to reach the accused on his phone had proved futile and when he (accused) was later arrested,he admitted the offence in his caution statement. —GNA
