Fake DSP remanded for fraud

By Helena Selby

 

An Accra Circuit Court has remanded into custody an unemployed man for allegedly defrauding some group of people, under the pretext of enlisting them into the police force as drivers.

 

The accused person, Mohammed Abu, presented himself as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who was mandated by the headquarters to recruit drivers, ended up defrauding six people of a total sum of GH¢9,670.

 

He also presented himself to another complainant as Chief Inspector Adam and collected a motor bike, camera and mobile phones, all amounting to GH¢3,260 with the explanation that the police headquarters will give him money to pay them.

 

He went into hiding at the “One Stone” Guest House at Tabora, Accra, but was arrested on the Graphic Road and handed over to the police, upon being spotted by a witness.

 

The accused person pleaded not guilty to one count of falsely pretending to be a public officer, contrary to section 237 of the criminal code 1960 (Act 29), six counts of defrauding by false pretence, contrary to section 131 of the criminal code 1960 (Act 29), and three counts of fictitious trading contrary to section 135 (1) of criminal code 1960 (Act 29).

 

The court, presided over by Mrs. Patience Mills-Tetteh, therefore, remanded the accused person into custody since he had no place of abode and adjourned hearing to October 24, 2012.

 

According to the facts of the case, the accused person, for some time now had been introducing himself to traders, shop owners and some security officers in Accra that he is a Senior Police Officer with the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

 

The Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Charles Chester, narrating the fact of the case, mentioned that the accused person claimed he was stationed at the National Police Headquarters with his office on the third floor of the building.

 

He said the accused person subsequently told the complainants that he had been tasked to enlist drivers into the police service and ended up convincing the complainant.

 

He told the court that in June 2012, the accused person collected a total sum of GH¢9670 from the complainant to enlist and facilitate the process into the Ghana Police Service and as well collected two passport sized photograph each, photocopies of driver’s license and educational certificates and result slips.

 

“The accused person later approached, one Bernard Tetteh, who is also a complainant and works at the judicial service headquarters as security officer and collected GH¢400 from him to auction a motor bike to him at the National Police Headquarters.

 

The accused person again went ahead and introduced himself to other victims that he is Chief Inspector Adams stationed at the Visa Fraud Unit, Police Headquarters and collected Sony digital camera valued GH¢1,450 from one Isaac Golightly”, the prosecutor told the court.

 

Chief Inspector Chester emphasized that the accused person also collected three digital camera valued GH¢1,200 from Kojo Asante Danso, one camera and two Samsung mobile valued GH¢610 Splendy Okla, which are all for the come of the complainants and promised them that his unit commander will give him money to pay them in a week’s time.

 

The prosecutor recounted that the accused person after committing these crimes, went into hiding and lodged at “One Stone” guest house at Tabora, a suburb of Accra but on October 9, 2012 at about 3:00pm, the accused person was spotted at Graphic Road, Accra, by the witness in this case.

 

He said the accused person was immediately arrested and handed over to the police, adding that a search conducted  on him at the police station revealed a recruitment application form with serial number NOR00701711 with  an applicant name; Aminu Mohammed, two mobile phones, cash the sum of GH¢620 and a toy pistol.

 

“Investigations were extended to “One Stone” guest house at Tobora, where he is currently lodging and a search conducted in his room, No 2 revealed eight copies of recruitment application forms with the same serial number NOR00701711, 13 blank police extract forms, three copies of birth certificates, copies of testimonial, copies of result slips and educational certificates, all belonging to prospective applicants”, Chief Inspector Chester asserted.

 

According to him, copies of dismissal letters of policemen No 44624, Escort Constable Seth Quaye and No.44634, Escort Constable Stephen Baffoa and three passport size photograph of prospective applicant were as well found in the room.

 

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