Tema, June 26, GNA - Two clearing agents in Tema who defrauded a farmer from Ashanti Mampong of 15 million cedis in the clearing of his vehicle have been granted bail in the sum of 60 million cedis with two sureties each. Kofi Asiedu and Adjei Boateng, alias Antwi, pleaded not guilty and will reappear on July 19, 2004.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Sarah Aggrey Acquah told the court, presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu, that in May 2003, the farmer's brother in Switzerland sent him a VW Vento saloon car through the Tema port. She said the farmer who needed someone to clear the car for him from the port, was introduced to Asiedu by Boateng as a clearing agent.

On May 15, 2003, Asiedu collected 15.5 million cedis from the complainant under the pretext of clearing the car for him, and the two accused persons told him (the complainant) to meet them at Ashanti Mampong to collect his car within two weeks.

Chief Inspector Acquah said after they had collected the money "and given all sorts of promises," all efforts made by the complainant to get his car or money proved futile. "As at now the whereabouts of the car is not known," he added. When a report was made to the police, and accused persons were arrested, they admitted the offence in their caution statements.