Bernice Naa Adjeley Anum, 41 and a caterer, has allegedly swindled a soldier (name withheld) off an amount of GH¢139,000.00, under the pretext of securing a Canadian visa and work permit for him.
The soldier was allegedly promised by the caterer that his traveling documents would be ready 17 days after the payment of the money.
Adjeley allegedly did not only demand and collect the said amount from the soldier and others, but also made him (soldier) to lodge at a hotel with a promise to drive him straight from there to the Airport to board an airplane to his dream destination.
However, the soldier and others, after receiving their passports, realised that the visas and work permits were nothing but a scam. The soldier, therefore, reported the case to the police and the caterer was arrested.
Adjeley was charged with defrauding by false pretences and forgery of document before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, last week.
The accused pleaded not guilty to both counts and was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000.00, with two sureties.
The suit is being prosecuted by Chief Inspector Daniel Danku, who told the court that the soldier in question was stationed at the Military Academy and Training School, Teshie, whilst the accused also resides in the same community – Teshie.
C/Insp Danku narrated to the court that on February 9, 2023, the accused demanded and collected an amount of GH¢139,000.00 from the soldier (complainant) under the pretext of securing a Canadian visa with a work permit for him. The accused gave the complainant assurance that the documents would be ready by February 26, 2023.
The prosecutor said the accused made the complainant and other victims to lodge at San Hotel at Teshie Rasta awaiting to be conveyed to airport with their visas. He said the accused later gave the complainant his passport with the supposed visa and work permit in it.
Realising the document was not genuine but forged, the complainant reported the matter to the Teshie Police and the accused was arrested. The accused allegedly admitted the offence during interrogation and mentioned one Kate Acheampong, who resides in the United Kingdom, as her accomplice.
The court was told that frantic efforts made to reach the said Kate Acheampong proved futile, and that after investigations the accused was charged with the offences.
The case has been adjourned to June 26, 2023.
