Businessman Robert Kwesi Nipah has appeared in court, pleading not guilty to charges related to alleged fraudulent activities.
Susana Eduful, the presiding judge granted Nipah bail set at GH¢80,000, with two sureties, each required to earn a minimum of GH¢3,000 monthly.
The court has directed the prosecution to submit disclosures and witness statements by November 27, 2024.
Mr. Nipah faces charges including defrauding by false pretenses and issuing false cheques. According to court documents, he allegedly defrauded Dorothy Assor Kissi, a businesswoman in Amrahia, Accra, who deals in baby products.
Mr. Nipah is accused of falsely claiming he would sell 24 bales of baby diapers worth GH¢62,000 on the complainant’s behalf and return the proceeds.
Mr. Nipah, a resident of Teshie, allegedly issued Ms. Kissi multiple cheques that lacked sufficient funds, prompting her to file a complaint.
In January 2017, after learning of Ms. Kissi’s imported diaper stock from Germany, Mr. Nipah reportedly approached her, expressed interest in the products and invited her to his residence to gain her trust.
He offered six post-dated Zenith Bank cheques as payment, assuring Ms. Kissi he would settle the debt within a month.
Ms. Kissi agreed to the arrangement and provided the goods. However, when she attempted to cash the cheques on various dates in May 2017, they were dishonoured due to insufficient funds.
The cheques – each valued at GH¢5,000 – except for one of GH¢3,500 – were returned, prompting Ms. Kissi to confront Mr. Nipah, who allegedly took no action to address the issue.
Ms. Kissi subsequently reported the matter to the police. Investigations revealed that Mr. Nipah had only GH¢24.69 in his bank account at the time he issued the cheques, despite reportedly selling the diapers shortly after receiving them.
Mr. Nipah is charged under Section 131 of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29) for defrauding by false pretenses, and under Section 313A for issuing false cheques.
