A businessman, Frederick Atta Agyei, has been put before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a public servant of GH¢25,000.00 under the pretext of securing two Australian scholarships for his relatives.
Agyei, who has been charged with defrauding by false pretenses, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of GH¢50,000.00 with two sureties, one to be justified.
He is expected to reappear before the court, presided over by Mrs. Susana Eduful, on August 19.
Prosecuting, Inspector Samuel Ahiabor told the court that the complainant, Godwin Addae Mensah, resides in Accra, while the accused lives at Aburi in the Eastern Region.
According to the prosecution, on June 17 at about 1530 hours, Agyei went to the Nima Police Station seeking refuge, claiming he had collected GH¢25,000.00 from the complainant to secure Australian scholarships for two of his relatives to study abroad.
The prosecutor said Agyei pleaded with a police officer at the station to call the complainant on his behalf. The complainant honoured the invitation and identified Agyei as the person who had taken the money but allegedly went into hiding afterward.
During interrogation, Agyei reportedly refunded GH¢5,000.00 and promised to pay the remaining amount but failed to do so, leading to his arraignment.
