The Circuit Court in Accra, presided over by Her Honour Susana Eduful, has granted a social worker and a trader bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 each with two sureties, to be justified with title deeds, for allegedly defrauding a resident of Bukom under the pretext of securing her a Canadian visa.
The accused persons — Isaac Abaidoo, a social worker, and Florence Mensah, a trader — pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretences.
The facts as presented by the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Wemegah, indicated that the complainant, Mavis Tagoe, a trader residing at Bukom, was introduced to the first accused by her mother, Victoria Tagoe, who is also a witness in the case.
According to the prosecution, in 2023, the accused persons allegedly conspired and convinced the complainant that they could secure her a work permit visa to New Zealand within a month. They reportedly demanded and collected GH¢30,000 from her through the second accused, Florence Mensah.
Three months later, Abaidoo allegedly informed the complainant that there were challenges with the New Zealand arrangement, but proposed a new opportunity for a Canadian visa, requesting an additional GH¢15,000, bringing the total amount to GH¢45,000.
After receiving the money, the accused persons allegedly failed to deliver on their promise and went into hiding. The complainant’s efforts to trace them proved futile, prompting her to lodge a formal complaint with the La Police.
Investigations led to their arrest, and during interrogation, the accused persons allegedly admitted the offence. They were subsequently charged and arraigned before the court.
The case, investigated by Detective Policewoman Patience Ashitey, has been adjourned for further hearing.
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