A circuit court in Accra has ordered the arrest of two persons, who, allegedly swindled a Nigerian businessman of GH¢140,000
Augustine Ankamah, also known as ( aka) Abiola, a 36-year-old estate developer and a contractor, and Sherif Bortey, a businessman and self-styled chief, on Monday failed to appear in court when the matter was listed for hearing.
Chief Inspector William K Boateng told the court that accused had been duly informed to appear in court, but they failed to show up.
Prosecution, therefore, prayed the court for a bench warrant.
The court presided by Mrs Afua Owusua Appiah obliged the prosecution’s request, and adjourned the case to September 14.
Ankamah and Bortey are expected to answer to the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretenses.
The case of the prosecution is that the complainant, Tinkere Usen Abrah resides at East Legon, Accra, while the accused reside in Accra.
Chief Insp Boateng said in 2018, Ankamah, who is a friend to the complainant, approached him and offered to assist him to secure land at Borteyman around Community 18.
Prosecution stated that Ankamah showed the complainant a 0.28 acres of land, with a floor level building structure at a cost of GH¢140,000.00.
Chief Insp Boateng said Ankamah took the complainant to Bortey, who posed as a chef, and owner of the land, and an amount of GH¢140,000 was paid to them.
Chief Insp Boateng said that Ankamah issued a receipt covering the sale of the land to the complainant.
Prosecution said Charles Gafti Kwaku aka Amonia, a witness in the case, together with the Tema Development Company (TDC) went to demolish the complainant’s structure on the land, indicating that the TDC had already registered the land in question with the Right of Entry and Title Reference number in the name of Charles Gafti Kwaku.
Chief Insp Boateng said when the complainant confronted the accused, they promised to give him another plot, but they went into hiding.
He said several efforts to reach them and retrieve the money had not been successful.
A report was made to the police and the accused were arrested at their hideouts and in their caution statements, they admitted the offence – GNA
