CANADA-BASED GHANAIAN BEFORE COURT FOR $37,790 FRAUD

By Felivx Engsalige Nyaaba

A Canada- based Ghanaian who in desperate attempt to get rich over night has found himself in the grips of the law was yesterday hauled before an Accra Circuit Court for defrauding his friend and another to the tune of $37,790 with the pretence of shipping four vehicles to them at the cheaper price.

The accused, Bruce Amoah Korankye, a.k.a Tony Walters, a driver, was dragged before the Circuit court, presided over by Ms Audrey Korcuvie-Tay for defrauding one Isaac Aryeetey, a farmer and Daniel Owusu, a retired public servant in the false claims that he would get them, CLK Benz Ray 4, Toyota Corolla , Honda CRV and GL Benz 4x4 respectively.

The accused, who was accompanied to court by a large crowd of family members and friends and appears traumatized by the issue, faces two of counts defrauding by false pretence contrary to Section 131 of Act 29 of the criminal code Act 1960.

He however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and the court granted him bail in the sum of GHC500, 000.00 with three sureties, two to be justified after his lawyer Mr. George Asamani  has succeeded in convincing the court that the offence was  one which bail could be granted.

Presenting the facts of the case to the court, the police prosecutor, Chief Inspector Charles Chester, said the complainants are a farmer and a retired public servant respectively and all live at Taifa, a suburb of Accra, whiles the accused is also a Ghanaian but domiciled at Canada and works as a driver.

That during the year to 2006, the first complainant, Isaac Aryeetey met the accused at Canada and they became friends and  in one of their conversation, the accused told the complainant he deals in cars and usually ships them from Canada to Ghana.

The prosecutor said, somewhere in 2010, the accused returned to Ghana on a visit and whilst in the country he met the first complainant again and during discussion, the accused promised to get the complainant some vehicles that he needed for his rounds.

Chief Inspector Chester said, Mr. Aryeetey , first  complainant gave an amount of twenty seven thousand, seven hundred and ninety Dollars to the accused to ship him CLK Benz Rav4, Toyota Corolla and a Honda CRV Cars.

He further explained that, based on the trust the complainant developed  in the accused, he also introduced him to  the second complainant, Daniel Owusu , who is a Church member and he also gave the accused ten thousand Dollars for GL Benz  4x4  Car for his personal use.

According to the prosecutor, the accused after succeeding in collecting a total of thirty seven thousand, seven hundred ninety U.S Dollars from the complainants , the accused never sent down the vehicles nor to refund the money given to him and went into hiding.

Chief Inspector Chester told the court that, the accused also change all his contacts information and also fails to visit the first complainant as usual any time he returns to Ghana.

He said, luck however, eluded the accused and on March 3, this year he was smocked out from his hideout at Madina and handed over to the police upon surveillance by friends of the complainants.

The prosecutor stated that, during investigation, accused admitted the offence for haven collected the said amount from the complainants and actually bought the cars but that they were all seized at the Canada Harbour.

He said, after further investigation into the case the accused was charged for the offence and he has since refunded an amount of Five thousand Dollars to the police.

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