A 33-year-old unemployed man, Senam Obodai Torgbor-Mensah, has been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly issuing a false cheque to settle his hotel bills amounting to GH¢42,000.
Torgbor-Mensah was charged with issuing a false cheque, contrary to Section 313(A)(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). He pleaded not guilty before Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, who presided over the case.
The court granted the accused bail in the sum of GH¢15,000 with two sureties — one of whom must justify and the other be a government worker earning at least GH¢2,000 monthly.
The accused is also required to deposit his travel documents, including his passport and Ghana Card, with the court registry and report to the police every Friday. The case has been adjourned to November 27, 2025.
According to the facts presented by Chief Inspector Daniel Appiah-Ofori, the complainant, Atitsogbe Quarshie McDon, is the proprietor of Spintex Hotel located at Baatsonaa in Accra.
The accused reportedly checked into the hotel on June 7, 2025, paying his bills for a few days before claiming that he had just returned from China and was awaiting a fund transfer to settle subsequent bills.
Convinced by his explanation, the hotel allowed him to continue his stay at a daily rate of GH¢400. When the bills accumulated, the accused allegedly offered the hotelier a quantity of sand, claiming it contained gold deposits, but the complainant rejected it, suspecting fraud.
Later, on September 18, 2025, the accused issued a post dated UMB cheque worth GH¢20,000, which was dishonoured upon presentation due to insufficient funds.
The prosecution said the complainant later learned that the accused was attempting to abscond, leaving behind his unpaid bills.
He was subsequently arrested and charged after investigations revealed that he had no source of income and had used false representations to secure accommodation. Torgbor-Mensah remains on bail pending further hearing.
