Data analyst jailed 2 years for defrauding businessman of GH¢11, 800

The circuit court at Adentan, in Accra, has sentenced a 34-year-old data analyst to two years imprisonment, for defrauding a businessman of GH¢11,800 under the pretext of securing him a job at the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA).

Anthony Dunyo, convict, is said to have introduced himself to the complainant as a close associate of Mr Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister of Works and Housing, and Member of Parliament for Bantama, in Ashanti Region.

Dunyo claimed he could secure jobs for people in institutions with the assistance of the minister, but failed, and investigations showed that convict was not an employee of the ministry.

Charged with defrauding by false pretences, Dunyo pleaded guilty with explanation before the court presided over by MrsSedinamAwoBalokah.

Dunyotold the court that he had worked with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) campaign team, at the party’s national head office, and that Mr Gideon, a member of the group, gave him ‘job offers’.

The convict told the court that Mr Gideon could not offer him the job as promised and said he had refunded GH¢2,000 to the police, which the investigator confirmed.

The court held that accused’s explanation confirmed his guilt and convicted him on his own plea.

The court further ordered prosecution to give the GH¢ 2,000 refunded by accused to the complainant.

Prosecuting, Inspector Gloria Ayimsaid that accused, now convict, was a resident of Okponglo, Accra, and the complainant, Mr Foster Gbeddie, was residing at Amanfrom.

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The court heard that Dunyo met the complainant last year and he (Dunyo) introduced himself as a staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing and a close associate of the minister and MP, Mr Francis AsensoBoakye.

 According to prosecution, Dunyo told the complainant that the Minister could helpthe complainant and other relatives to secure jobs at various government institutions.

InspAyimsaid Dunyo informed the complainant of a job vacancy at the GEPA and demanded GHc¢10,000 for the offer and asked the complainant to pay initial amount of GH¢5,000.

Prosecution said the complainant paid GH¢4,000 to Dunyo on behalf of a friend, known as Honesty, for a job vacancy at GEPA.

The prosecution said Dunyo promised to secure the job within eight weeks, andhe again informed complainant that there was another vacancy at the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) for a university graduate.

InspAyimsaid Dunyo charged the complainant GH¢12,000 and demanded a deposit of GH¢6,000 from one Teye, who showed interest.

The court heard that Dunyo came up with another job vacancy with Bui Power Authority, and the complainant feigned interest.

InspAyim said the complainant reported the case to the police and Dunyo was arrested.

The prosecution said accused admitted collecting GHc¢11,800 from the complainant under the pretext of securing jobs for him and others at GEPA, GIS and Bui Power Authority.

The prosecution said Dunyo promised to refund the money within a month, but he only refunded GH¢ 2,000 to the police. – GNA