An Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday granted a
GH₵120,000.00 bail with four sureties to a woman, one of the directors of Gemas
Recruitment and Sports Consult, for allegedly defrauding 19 persons of
GH₵120,000.00 under the pretext of securing them visas.
The court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Essandoh
ordered that one of the four persons should be a public servant earning not less
than GH₵1,000.00.
Salomey Pomaa, accused, unemployed, pleaded not
guilty to conspiracy to commit crime and 19 counts of defrauding by false
pretence.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Kwabena Gyamfi and Prempeh
Asiedu, accomplices, are at large and a bench warrant has been issued for their
arrest.
The court adjourned the case to November 12.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP)
Emmanuel Nyamekye told the court that the complainants are students, artisans
and others self-employed living in Accra.
He said Pomaa is the wife of Gyamfi, and the
two, together with Asiedu, are the directors of Gemas Recruitment and Sports
Consult, located at Taifa in Accra.
ASP Nyamekye said between 2018 and 2019, the
accused caused advertisements to be made on Rainbow and Vision One FM station
to the effect that it could secure Canadian visas as well as jobs for persons
interested in living in Canada.
ASP Nyamekye said the complainants on hearing
the advertisements, proceeded to the offices and staff there took them through
the modalities, including registration of applicants, securing of visas and a
five-year working permit.
He said the accused gave the victims two
Prudential Bank Account numbers (with the couples being signatories) to pay fees
into.
Prosecution said the complainants paid between
GH₵1,000.00 and GH₵23,150.00 as well as USD1, 500, adding that whilst some paid
through the accounts, others paid at the office and receipts were issued.
ASP Nyamekye said after receiving the various
amounts, the accused failed to fulfill their part of the bargain and went into
hiding.
Investigations made at the bank disclosed that
the couple had withdrawn the monies deposited, and a search at the Registrar
General’s Department confirmed the company had been registered for recruitment
and sport consultancy and not for visa acquisition.
ASP Nyamekye said that the institution had not
been issued with a labour recruitment licence by the Department of Labour.
He said police later arrested Pomaa at Sowutuom,
her hideout.
Mr Andrew Vortia, her counsel, in praying for
bail, said his client was not a flight risk and also had people of substance to
stand as sureties. – GNA
