The Dansoman Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul Baasit, has remanded Eric Adjei Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adjei or Rockson, into police custody.
The decision followed his first court appearance on January 15, 2025. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of defrauding by false pretenses. His next appearance is scheduled for January 29.
Boateng, the fourth accused (A4), stands trial alongside Amos Boateng (A1), Danso Shadrack (A2), and Alfred Owusu (A3). Another suspect, Justina Annan (A5), is at large.
Together, they face charges of conspiracy to defraud by false pretenses, defrauding by false pretenses, and attempted kidnapping. However, Boateng’s charges are limited to the defrauding counts.
Case Details
The prosecution alleges that in 2022, the accused conspired and defrauded John Egyiri, a driver residing in Saltpond of GH¢30,000 under the pretence of helping him purchase a Mercedes Benz Sprinter bus.
The fifth accused, Annan, who introduced Boateng to Egyiri as her brother, played a key role in facilitating the fraudulent transaction.
According to the charge sheet, Egyiri paid the amount as a deposit for the bus, which was priced at GH¢70,000.
Despite repeated assurances, Boateng failed to deliver the vehicle or refund the money. Subsequent attempts by Egyiri to recover his funds were unsuccessful.
Further investigations revealed a complex relationship between the complainant and some of the accused persons.
Annan, the fifth accused, is married to the first accused, Amos Boateng, but also shares a child with the complainant.
Additional Allegations
The first, second, and third accused persons face additional charges of attempted kidnapping. The prosecution claims they attempted to unlawfully detain Egyiri and transport him out of jurisdiction without his consent.
The complainant reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrests of Amos Boateng, Danso Shadrack, and Alfred Owusu. Annan remains at large, while Eric Adjei Boateng was arrested and charged separately.
The court remanded Boateng after considering the circumstances surrounding the case. The investigation is ongoing.
