Ashaiman:Court remands trader, 58, for defrauding by false pretense of GHS 137,000

A-58-year old man is facing a charge of defrauding by false pretense, contrary to section 13(1) of the criminal offences Act 1960 (Act 29).

Joseph Amihere Boah pleaded guilty with explanation.

Prior to sentencing the accused, the court presided over by His Honour Simon Gaga offered the accused,Joseph Boah, the right to present his explanation.

According to him,"my Lord, I made a mistake, I pray the court to beg the complainant for me.

I have given one of the canoes to the complainant already". But the court said the explanation of the accused does not amount to a defence therefore a plea of guilty was entered for the accused.

Accused is remanded into police custody pending conviction of sentence. Case was adjourned to May 26,2023.

Prosecuting: Chief Inspector C.O. Norgbedzi presenting D/PW/L/CPL. Leticia Ohenewaa Frempong Investigative case told the court that the complainant, Nene Raymond Abayateye is a fisherman and resides at Anyaman, a suburb of Sege whilst the accused, Joseph Amihere Boah is a trader and resides at Agyzea, a suburb of Jomoro in the Western Region.

C/Inspector C.O.Norgbedzi told the court that in the month of November,2022, the complainant while at home, the accused sent his son named Paul Boah to inform the complainant that he had six canoes on sale and wanted to sell them to the complainant.

C/Inspector C.O.Norgbedzi told the court that the complainant then expressed interest and sent two of his brothers to inspect the six canoes at Sefwi Asenso in the Western North Region, where the canoes were been curved.

The accused then called the complainant on phone and requested an amount of GHS 137,000 to enable him transport the canoes to the complainant after which they would agree on the selling price.

C/Inspector C.O.Norgbedzi told the court that with these representations, the accused got the consent of the complainant to part with the said amount to him.

However,C/Inspector C.O.Norgbedzi said upon getting the said amount of money, the accused dropped the two brothers who were policing the canoes for the complainant and diverted the six canoes to Abanze in the Central Region and sold them to different people.

C/Inspector C.O.Norgbedzi further told the court that police intelligence led to that arrest of the accused at Saltpond. He told the court that investigations were in progress to retrieve the canoes as well as arrest the son of the accused person.