Businessman accused of defrauding army officers

Accra, Jan. 15 GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday granted a 70 million cedis bail to a businessman who was accused of defrauding four Nigerian Army Officers of 14,500 dollars.

Mr Abdul Aziz Alhassan, a Forex Bureau operator, was charged with four counts of stealing 14,500 dollars.

Alhassan pleaded not guilty and he is to reappear before the court presided over by Mr Williwise Kyeremeh on February 20.

The facts as presented by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Paul Frimpong were that the complainants are Major O.F. Azinta; Major A.A. Akinnroluyo; Major M.N. Nassanawa and Squadron Leader R. N. Eke all in the Nigerian Armed Forces and were former students of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

The Accused is the Managing Director of the World Wide Forex Bureau at Teshie.

The Prosecution said on September 2, 2002, the complainants were approached by Alhassan who informed them about a foreign students scheme which he was running with an interest rate of five per cent a month. ASP Frimpong said the complainants became convinced about depositing their money with the Forex Bureau because of its nearness to the College.

They, therefore, deposited a total sum of 19,000 dollars with the Bureau, with the agreement that the capital deposited would be returned on a month notice.

The Prosecutor said on May 5, 2003, the complainants notified Alhassan that they would collect their money the following month. When the time was due, the Alhassan only refunded 4,500 dollars to them.

ASP Frimpong said several efforts by the complainants and the Staff College to collect the rest of the money failed. Prosecution said Alhassan has since his arrest refunded 1,000 dollars to the Police.