Ebenezer Martei, owner of West Stream Dominion Enterprise has allegedly been defrauded off GH¢621,000.00 and US$35,000.00 respectively in a petrol and haulage deal. The sole proprietor was allegedly scammed by three businessmen.
The suspects are Alhaji Iddrisu Ibrahim, 33 years old and a businessman residing at Kasoa, Alhaji Abdul Samed Yusif (A2 and at large), and Simon Muelenga (A3 at large).
Alhaji Iddrisu Ibrahim was first arrested and released on police inquiry to appear before the Accra Circuit Court on September 6, 2023 but failed.
The court, presided over Ellen Ofei-Ayeh, had issued a bench warrant for his arrest and for his plea to be taken.
Alhaji Iddrisu Ibrahim was dragged before the court on Monday and was accused of conspiracy to commit a crime, defrauding by false presence, and issuing false cheque.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sums of GH¢900,000.00 with three sureties, one to be justified.
BRIEF FACTS
The court heard that on August 2, 2021 Iddrisu and Abdul were introduced to the complainant as businessmen who wanted supply of petrol and diesel, and the necessary arrangements were made to that effect.
In September 2021, Iddrisu bargained with the complainant for the purchase of 54, 000 liters of petrol and 54,000 liters of diesel, all valued at GH¢621,000.00.
He, however, failed to pay for the fuel after it had been supplied. Despite failure on the part of Iddrisu to pay for the oil, he still went to the complainant and told him that he had invested his money in a Vessel that he secured, hence pleaded to be given more time to live up to his financial obligation.
After making this plea, Iddrisu and Abdul again went to complainant and told him that they have a business partner in South Africa who is A3, with whom they are doing Haulage business and that A1 had invested the Complainant’s money into the said business.
Iddrisu told the complainant that they were into a haulage business and that he needed an additional US$35,000 to complete a transaction.
He promised to pay back in two weeks’ time. Based on this, the accused persons succeeded in collecting UD$35,000 from the complainant, which turned out to be false.
After the expiration of the two weeks, the Complainant started to demand for his money and based on this, Iddrisu issued a cheque with face value of GH¢621,000 in the name of West Stream Dominion Enterprise, but was dishonoured by the bank.
The Complainant was told that as at April 20, 2022 Iddrisu did have adequate funds in the account.
On April 19, 2022 the Complainant made a report to the Police and accused persons were called on their phones to report at the station to assist in the investigation, but they failed and rather went into hiding until June 4, 2023.
