A 34-year-old businessman, Eric Kwame Hini, has been arraigned at the Circuit Court in Accra for defrauding another businessman in the sum of $15,000 in a car deal.
Kwame Hini was charged with defrauding by false pretenses contrary to section 131 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960, (Act 29).
He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of GHc200k with two sureties.
It was the case of the Prosecution that, the accused person during the month of March 2024 at Okpoi-Gonno, with intent to defraud, did obtain the consent of the complainant to part with the sum of $15,000 vehicle through certain false pretenses.
The Prosecutor said the accused had falsely presented to the complainant that if the said amount was given to him, he could secure him a 2024 RAM 1,500 mode vehicle from the USA.
She said, Kwame Hini, upon such false presentation, succeeded in obtaining the said amount from the Complainant.
Prior to being granted bail, Counsel for the accused, Godlove Kotei informed the Court that, his client despite denying the charge intends to refund the money.
To further strengthen his client’s position, an amount of $3, 000 was handed over to the prosecution in Court.
His plan, according to his counsel, is to also pay additional $2, 000 by November 29, 2024 while the balance is to be paid in two tranches of $5,000.
The Court presided over by His Honour, Kwabena Kodua Obiri Yeboah has directed the Prosecution to file its necessary trial processes while adjourning the case to January 16, 2024.
Brief facts
Inspector Belinda Asante, the Prosecutor handling the matter told the Court that, the Complainant is a businessman.
While, the Accused Eric Kwame Hini is also a businessman living at North Legon.
The Prosecutor said, that in March 2024, the complainant was introduced to the accused person by a (witness in the case) as a car dealer who could assist the complainant in buying a “2024 RAM 1,500 mode vehicle from the United States.”
Inspector Asante said, the accused person demanded and collected payment of $15,000 from the complainant to enable him ship the vehicle to Ghana within two weeks after which he will make the full payment.
The Prosecutor explained that, the accused person after receiving the money from the complainant, failed to fulfil his promise and went into hiding.
She said, the complainant, therefore, suspected a foul play and reported the matter to the police.
Inspector Asante said, on August 29, 2024 the accused person was arrested from his hideout and was handed over to the police.
The Prosecutor said, the Accused in his cautioned statement admitted the offence and promised to get the complainant a new vehicle due to problems he had whilst shipping the said vehicle.
“After investigations, the accused person was charged with the offense and put before this honourable court,” the Prosecutor told the Court.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
