Rédaction Africa Links 24 with admin
Published on 2024-02-20 08:16:00
Three individuals, two Nigerian and one Ghanaian, have appeared before the Accra Circuit Court on charges of defrauding a United Arab Emirates national in a gold transaction amounting to $60,000. The accused are Jacob Sunday Olatunji, a 39-year-old driver and engineer, Israel Olawale Omoley, an architect, and Baffour Abraham, who is currently at large. The charges brought against them include conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretences. Both Olatunji and Omoley have pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The presiding judge, Mr. Isaac Addo, granted the accused bail in the amount of GH¢1 million each, with sureties required. The court further ordered that the accused must deposit their passports at the court’s registry until further notice.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Farhad Omedi, a national of the United Arab Emirates, was introduced to Baffour, as a gold dealer living in Ghana, by an individual named Abass, who is currently in Dubai. Baffour, in turn, sent an invitation visa to the complainant in the name of Mpohor Mines Company, a company operating in the Western Region of Ghana.
Upon the complainant’s arrival in Ghana, he was received by Olatunji at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra. Olatunji and Baffour then took the complainant to Time Security Company in Accra, where 30 kilograms of gold bars were shown to him to convince him of Baffour’s credibility as a gold dealer. Subsequently, the complainant agreed to purchase gold at the rate of $60,000 per kilogram.
Arrangements were made for the transportation of the gold to Dubai. The complainant and Baffour proceeded to the Kotoka International Airport with one kilogram of gold, accompanied by Olatunji. Upon arriving at the airport, customs officers were called in to facilitate documentation for the transportation of the gold.
The complainant, convinced by the presence of the customs officers in uniform, handed over $60,000 to Olatunji, who was driving the vehicle. However, as the complainant waited for the customs officers and Baffour to deliver the gold, Olatunji abruptly sped off with the $60,000.
Efforts to trace Olatunji proved futile, leading to a report being filed with the police, which ultimately resulted in the arrest of Olatunji and Omoley at Dawhenya. Upon their arrest, the police retrieved five metal bars and a small safe containing $3,500 in Omoley’s possession. Omoley claimed that the items were given to him by Baffour, who had absconded.
In summary, the accused individuals are facing serious charges related to fraud and false pretences. Their alleged actions have resulted in significant financial loss and distress for the victim. The legal proceedings surrounding this case are ongoing, and the accused will have the opportunity to defend themselves in a court of law.
Read the original article on Ghanaian Times
