The Circuit Court at Dansoman, near Accra presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, has granted bail to a 46-year-old self-employed man, Wilfred Amesika, who is facing charges of defrauding by false pretences.
Wilfred Amesika, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29), was granted bail in the sum of GH¢60,000 with three sureties.
Two of the sureties must be public servants earning not less than GH¢2,000 monthly and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
As part of the bail conditions, the accused is to deposit his Ghana Card with the court registry and report to the police every two weeks. The case has been adjourned to June 18, 2025.
According to Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder, the complainant, Cynthia Awuni, a hairdresser, was residing in South Africa when she decided to relocate to Germany to join her fiancé.
A witness, James Baiden, introduced her to the accused, who allegedly promised to secure a German visa for her at a cost of GH¢80,000.The complainant returned to Ghana and paid GH¢50,000 to the accused as part of the visa arrangement.
Despite assurances, the accused failed to deliver valid documents, and the complainant was denied a visa by both the Netherlands and French embassies. Realizing she had been defrauded, she demanded a refund, but the accused went into hiding.
He was later lured out through a proposed new visa deal and arrested by the police. During investigations, the accused admitted to receiving the money, but claimed it was used for processing requirements, not for securing the visa itself.
The prosecution is expected to continue when the case resumes in June.
