Kojo Asare
A 22-year-old man, Kojo Asare, aka Eric Osei, from Assin Darmang in the Assin South District of the Central Region, who thought he could defraud a trader in the area of an amount of GH¢1000 and go scot free has found himself in the grips of the law.
Asare, who appeared before the Abura Dunkwa Magistrate Court, presided over by Madam Efuwa Wiernkyi, on Tuesday, has been remanded into prison custody to reappear on February 4, 2013.
He pleaded guilty to the offence while a bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of his two accomplices who are now at large, Nana Kwame and Ankomah.
Prosecuting, the Abura Dunkwa District Police Commander, Bernard Twum-Berimah, said the complainant, Madam Akosua Forwaa, reported the matter at his outfit on January 6, 2012.
DSP Twum-Berimah stated that Forwaa inadvertently dialled the suspect’s number instead of a welder she wanted to call.
When the suspect realized Forwaa was in need of a container, he asked his friend Nana Kwame to disguise himself as the welder and go for the money.
He added that the victim innocently gave the money to Nana Kwame but later dialled the correct number of the welder who denied collecting any money from her.
DSP Twum-Berimah noted that the suspects shared the money among themselves since Ankomah who heard of the issue threatened to report the two to the police if they refused to give him some of the money.
Prosecution said the victim therefore reported the matter to the police who traced the telephone line of the suspect.
The Abura Dunkwa Commander revealed that the suspect sensing danger disappeared from town and resurface 13 months later.
DSP Twum-Berimah told the court that the suspect was tracked through an informant when he was watching a football match in town.
He said the suspect admitted to the offence and mentioned the other two men as his accomplices.
By Sarah Afful, Abura Dunkwa