A Circuit Court at Dansoman has granted bail in the sum of GH¢300,000 to a 29-year-old driver, Arthur Michael, who has been charged with defrauding by false pretence.
The court, presided over by Her Honour Nancy Teiko Searyoh, admitted the accused to bail with three sureties.
All the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court, with two of them being civil servants earning not less than GH¢5,000 a month.
As part of his bail conditions, Arthur Michael has been ordered to report to the Gbawe Police Station every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. until otherwise directed by the court.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Emelia Mensah, did not oppose the bail application. The court further directed the prosecution to file its disclosures for Case Management Conference (CMC). The case has been adjourned to May 4, 2026.
Arthur Michael has been charged with defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). He pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution’s Case
Presenting the brief facts, the prosecution said the complainant, Shadrack Asare, is a businessman residing at Bogoso, while the accused lives at Awoshie Water Works.
According to the prosecution, in July 2025, the accused, who is a friend of the complainant, demanded and collected GH¢242,000 from him under the pretext of selling him an unregistered Toyota RAV4.
After receiving the money, the accused allegedly informed the complainant that he had imported several vehicles and that the RAV4 intended for him was among them. He reportedly sent photographs of the vehicle as evidence.
However, days later, the accused told the complainant that although the container had arrived, the RAV4 was not included and promised to refund the money. The prosecution said he failed to refund the amount and subsequently relocated. The complainant’s own investigations led to the arrest of the accused on February 23, 2026.
In his cautioned statement to the police, the accused allegedly admitted collecting the money but claimed he gave it to a friend identified only as Clinton, said to be living in Dubai, to purchase the vehicle on behalf of the complainant.
He told investigators that he had since lost contact with the said friend and did not know his whereabouts. Following investigations, Arthur Michael was charged and brought before the court.
