Accra: A 46-year-old businessman, George Adu-Twum, who allegedly collected GHC72,000 from a police officer under the pretext of securing him two auctioned vehicles, has appeared in court. At the Circuit Court, prosecution stated that the accused committed the offence in 2021 and pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences.
According to Ghana News Agency, the court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, admitted Adu-Twum to bail in the sum of GHC75,000 with two sureties. The trial judge adjourned the matter to April 7, 2025, and ordered the prosecution to comply with the rules of disclosure. Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori-Appiah, the prosecutor, revealed that the complainant, whose name is withheld, is a police officer residing at Weija SCC, Accra. The accused, who claimed to be a businessman, resides at Weija Gbawe, Accra.
In 2021, the complainant's relatives were in need of a Toyota Pickup and Hyundai i30 salon car, prompting him to discuss with a friend who introduced him to the accused. The prosecution said the complainant met the accused at Abelemkpe, where Adu-Twum pointed out a Toyota Hilux and Hyundai i30 as vehicles being auctioned, stating that payments needed to be made immediately due to other interested parties.
After negotiations, Adu-Twum collected GHC72,000 from the complainant. GHC40,000 was paid at the accused's office in Abelemkpe, while GHC32,000 was handed over at the complainant's office at the Ministries. Adu-Twum promised that the auctioned vehicles would be ready in a week. However, after collecting the money, Adu-Twum went into hiding but was arrested on January 15, 2025.
During investigations, Adu-Twum refunded an amount of GHC25,000, as disclosed by the prosecution to the court.
