Driver accused of defrauding businessman of GH¢120K remanded

A 39-year-old driver who allegedly defrauded a businessman of GH¢120,000 has been remanded into police by an Adentan Circuit Court.

Paul Kwabena Duku allegedly collected the money from the businessman under the pretext of selling a Kia Rhino truck to him but failed.

Charged with defrauding by false pretences, Duku, in the company of his lawyer, pleaded not guilty.

He is expected to reappear before the court on September 16, 2024, for bail consideration.

The facts as read by Chief Inspector Anim Darko before the court presided over by Mrs Sedinam Awo Kwadam are that the complainant in the case is Mr Francis Adebor.

The accused person, the prosecution said, was a resident of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

The prosecution said in March 2024, the complainant saw a KIA Rhino truck with registration number GR 6222-24 advertised on Jiji, an online platform for sale.

The Court heard that the complainant contacted the number displayed on the truck and was assured by someone that the truck was available for sale.

The prosecution said the complainant requested to inspect the truck before purchasing.

The complainant therefore called again, but he was given another phone number purported to be that of the owner of the truck.

The prosecution said the complainant again contacted the supposed owner who also gave him the number of Duku as the one who would lead him to inspect the truck.

The Court heard that Duku and two other accomplices now on the run posed as owners of the truck and they led the complainant to inspect the same at a location at Ritz Junction, Madina in Accra.

The prosecution said the complainant after inspecting the vehicle, expressed interest in the truck, bargained with Duku and his accomplices and arrived at the cost of GH¢120,000.

The prosecutor said Duku stood by the truck with the view of securing the vehicle while his accomplices led the complainant to a location at Pantang Hospital to meet the other accomplices for payment to be made.

It said the complainant made a full payment of GH¢120,000 to Duku’s accomplices, who issued to him with a receipt of payment and forged documents covering the truck.

The Court heard that the complainant was then directed to go for the truck with one of the accomplices at the location where Duku was waiting.

The prosecution said that Duku’s accomplices bolted on the way and left the complainant behind.

The prosecution said the accomplices quickly called Duku to also leave his location, and he did.

The Court heard that when the complainant got to the location of the truck, he realised that he had been swindled.

The prosecution said Duku and his accomplices later shared the money among themselves.

The complainant therefore reported the matter to the police, and investigations led to the arrest of Duku from his hideout at Agbogba, Accra.

Prosecution Duku in his caution statement admitted the offence and stated that he only received GH¢2,000 out of the booty.

The prosecutor said Duku had failed to show the police the whereabouts of his accomplices.