Man fined for possessing fake dollars

Tema, April 19, GNA - A man who used 200 fake dollar notes to pay for accommodation at Hotel Westgate has been fined 1.5 million cedis by the Tema circuit court "A".

Ebenezer Annor alias Francis Mensah, pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing fake dollars and will go to prison for two years if he fails to pay the fine.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Adolphus Otchere, told the court presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that on June 5, 2003, at 7 p.m. the accused entered Hotel Westgate and requested for three bedroom reservations for three guests at the total cost of 150 dollars.

He said the accused paid it with two 100-dollar notes and was given a receipt, however, there was no available 50-dollar note for a change for him, and the accused, who demanded his change, was given 225,000 cedis. The supervisor of the hotel physically examined the dollar notes and realised that all the two notes had the same serial number AK93517745A and the Tema Regional Police Commander was immediately informed and the accused was arrested when he came back to collect his change.

Inspector Otchere said the accused stated in his statement that the dollar notes were given to him by a Korean, but could not trace his place of abode.