Travelling agent before tribunal for fraud

Accra, May 15, GNA - A travelling agent who allegedly collected money from his classmate under the pretext of securing visa and other travelling documents for him on Monday appeared before a circuit tribunal in Accra.

Michael Sowatey pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences and was granted five million cedis bail with one surety to be justified. He will appear again on June 14.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector James Anneh Kwame told the tribunal, chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Anderson Yebuah, that the complainant, Mr Paul Lomotey, on December five, last year, received invitation from his brother in Austria to visit him.

He, therefore, contacted Sowatey to secure a visa and other travelling documents for him. The prosecutor said Sowatey promised to assist and in January, this year, collected 10 million cedis, 300 dollars and 200 pounds sterling from Mr Lomotey on different dates.

He also collected Lomotey's passport with the assurance that he would complete the documents on February 15. According to the prosecutor, the accused failed to honour the promise and went into hiding until the police arrested him.