Student girl, 24, defrauds three persons of 11 million cedis

Emelia Kwapong Afari, a 24 year-old student of Genius Computer school at Tema Manhean who posed as a daughter of Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, the Electoral Commissioner and defrauded three persons of a total of eleven million cedis, 100 dollars and wax prints on Monday appeared before the Tema Circuit Tribunal.

Emelia, a native of Adukrom Akwapim, told two of her victims that she needed the money to clear goods, imported into the country by her parents at Tema harbour. She told a third victim that she needed the money to clear off evil spirits that were tormenting her.

She pleaded not guilty to defrauding Mr Michael Ablorh Tetteh, businessman of 5.4 million cedis, and 100 US dollars, Mr Vincent Narh, electrician, two million cedis while madam Rose Tei, trader, parted with 3.6 million cedis and four and half pieces of wax prints. Emelia who came to court with a bandage on her right arm, claiming she was in pains, was refused bail and remanded in custody to re-appear on August nine.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Edith Nutakor told the tribunal chaired by Mr Ringo Cass Azumah that in May 2001, Emelia got to know Mr Tetteh through the wife when she (Emelia) was attending a clinic where she (Mr Tetteh's wife) worked as a nurse.

Emelia then approached the couple in their house at Tema Community two that her parents had travelled outside the country and since she was lonely she needed a companion so pleaded to stay with them.

Chief Inspector Nutakor said the couple agreed to her request because of the numerous telephones calls they received from her accomplices who posed as her parents. Whilst staying with the couple, she told them that her parents had shipped some goods to her and succeeded in collecting 5.4 milion cedis and 100 dollars from Mr Tetteh to clear the goods from the Tema harbour.

She collected two million cedis from Mr Narh, a co-tenant, with the same story. Emelia again was able to convince Madam Rose Tei, a friend, to give her 3.6 million cedis, four and half pieces of wax prints and other items to enable her be cleansed of evil spirit that was tormenting her.

The prosecutor said later, Mr Tetteh became suspicious of Emelia's conduct and upon investigations found out that her claims were fraudulent. Realising the suspicion of her hosts, Emelia went into hiding until she was arrested on 25 February this year when Mr. Tetteh spotted her.