Two unemployed men standing criminal trials of defrauding by false pretence

Two unemployed persons are standing criminal charges at the Ashaiman circuit court on two separate counts of conspiracy to commit crime namely defrauding by false pretence; contrary to section 23 (1) and 131 of criminal offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) and defrauding by false pretence; contrary to section 131 (1) of the criminal offences Act, 1960(Act 29).

Daniel Gadri and Ebenezer Atitsogbe both unemployed pleaded guilty to count 1 but pleaded not guilty to count two.

The accused persons were convicted on count 1.They both pleaded for the court to deal leniently with them.A1 and A2 were to serve 4 years in prison if they fail to pay a fine of GHS2,400.00 each.

The court presided over by His Honour Simon Nketiah Gaga decided to deal leniently with the accused persons and were found guilty, convicted and sentenced accordingly. Police is ordered to release the phone to the owner.

Prosecutor is ordered to file witness statement on count 2 while the case was adjourned to 20-12--2023 at 10:00am. Prosecuton:Chief Inspector Samual Aperweh reading the Number 54459 D/CPL. Okyere Akwesi Andrew I/case told the court that the complainant Kusaga John age 24 is a mason risiding at Kanewu whilst accused persons Daniel Gadri age 27 and Ebenezer Atitsogbe also 27 are both unemployed.

He told the court that on 31/10/2023, at about 3:30pm, the complainant was heading home and upon reaching a section of the Ashaiman main traffic light, A1 approached complainant and told him he is a stranger from Tarkwa but in Ashaiman to exchange his gold and diamond if only he could assist in locating a place to do that but the complainant responded in the negative.

Yet the accused person pleaded with him to get someone to lead them to where he could do the exchange because he is a stranger.A2 intentionally came to pass and A1 asked the complainant to contact him if he could assist with a location.

Complainant also obliged, called A2 and he led them to a place at Ashaiman main market area.On reaching there, A1 asked A2 and the complainant to wait for him.A1 then entered an obscure place of the market.

Few minutes later, A1 came back thanked the complainant and A2 for assisting him and decided to reward him with a piece of gold.

A1 then brought out something covered in black polythene and told them to bring their phones for him to use the said gold against the black camera for it to increase in size which complainant gave out his Techno Spark 7 mobile phone valued at GHS 1500.00 and cash sum of GHS 180.00.

A1 after taking the phone place a black polythene at the back of the camera and covered it with a black polythene bag and gave it to the complainant and told him not to open until the next day.

The complainant upon reaching home decided to make a call and opened the polythene bag, he found a piece of tile covered with paper.

Complainant came to the Ashaiman police station and lodged a complaint. Police mounted surveillance on accused persons and they were arrested at the fitter-line.During investigations, it was established that both A1 and A2 are partners who have been using such modus operandi to defraud innocent people within the Ashaiman community.

A1 told police that he also asked A2 to track the complainant and quickly exchanged complainant's Techno Spark 7 mobile with the tile and stone and covered it in a black polythene bag and handled to the complainant on the blindside.Complainant's Techno Spark 7 phone was retrieved from A1 during investigation.

Afterwards, the accused were duly cautioned and after investigation, they were charged with the the offences and put before this honorable court.