Stowel Mante, also known as Yaw, a 47-year-old trader, appeared before the Accra Circuit Court on Monday, charged with defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, the court heard that Mante allegedly defrauded two Ghanaian nurses domiciled in the United Kingdom by obtaining £31,000 and GH¢100,000 under false pretences between 2020 and 2022.
Mante pleaded not guilty to two counts of defrauding by false pretence. Bail was set at GH¢300,000 with three sureties, one of which must be justified.
He is also required to report to the police once a week and deposit his travel documents with the court registry.
Prosecution’s Case
According to Superintendent Augustine Yirinkye,the Prosecutor, the accused reportedly convinced the complainants, Gloria Nyarko Takyi and Sylvia Owusu Badu, to send him money to either develop their lands or purchase plots for them.
Nyarko Takyi, the first complainant, transferred £31,000 to Mante to develop her plots at Oyibi and Kokrobite. Meanwhile, Owusu Badu sent GH¢100,000 to Mante for the purchase of three plots of land.
The accused provided photographs of bare plots purportedly developed or purchased with the funds. However, subsequent investigations by the complainants revealed that Mante had not fulfilled his promises.
The complainants confronted the accused, but he failed to provide satisfactory answers. They subsequently reported the matter to the Adabraka police on July 5, 2023, leading to his arrest.
Police Investigation and Bail
Following his initial arrest, Mante was granted police inquiry bail but absconded. He was re-arrested on September 13, 2024, in Nkawkaw by the Police Intelligence Department. He was brought back to Adabraka, charged and subsequently arraigned before the court.
The court adjourned the case to January 20, 2025, to allow further investigations.
