An Accra Circuit Court has granted a GH¢26,000.00 bail with two sureties each to a National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officer and a teacher for allegedly defrauding a man of GH¢25,500.00 under the pretext of enlisting his family and friends into the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and other security services.
Kofi Arhin Ghansah, also known as Fiifi, 48, NADMO officer,
was charged for defrauding by false pretense, while Samuel Ashong, alias Paa
Nii, 46, teacher was charged for abetment of crime.
Both of them pleaded
not guilty to the charges and are to make their next appearance on
November 13.
Police Inspector Samuel Ahiabor told the court presided by
Mrs Ruby Nash Aryeetey that Mr Samuel Paa Kwesi Bentil is the complainant in
the case.
He said Bentil and Ghansah are personnel of NADMO whereas
Ashong is a trained teacher.
Insp. Ahiabor said in 2014, Ashong informed Ghansah
about the various enlistments in the security services, which he said he could
help recruit people through one Mark Asafo Adjei, then a GNFS officer.
Prosecution said Ghansah convinced his
colleague, Bentil that he had slots and that he should bring his family and
friends to be enlisted, adding that he would take GH¢2,500.00 per head.
Insp. Ahiabor said Ghansah asked that those who could not pay
instantly could make part payment and later pay the rest.
The court heard that Bentil brought a list of 26 people in
addition to GH¢25,500.00 as well as their certificates and other documents to
start the recruitment process.
He said Ghansah after collecting the money, failed to honour
his promise and several efforts to retrieve the money proved futile, and the
case was reported to the police.
Insp. Ahiabor said when Ghansah was arrested, he mentioned
Ashong as an accomplice as he gave him GH¢12,000.00 which he also admitted
taking.
The court heard that during investigation, Ashong
refunded GH¢11,000.00 and after investigations, the accused were arraigned.
Mr Yaw Dankwa, lawyer for the accused in praying for
bail, stated that the case was put before another court, but was struck out
because it lacked merit, but the police re-arrested his clients.
He told the court that the clients were not flight risks, and that they were gainfully employed and had people of substance to stand as sureties. – GNA
