MP appears in court

Accra, July 5, GNA - Mr Felix Twumasi-Appiah, Member of Parliament ( MP) for Sene in Brong-Ahafo Region, standing trial with Juan Carlos, a Spanish national on Monday appeared before An Accra Circuit court hearing the case.

The accused who for sometime had been absent from the court is being sought for his alleged role in a fraudulent gold transaction. Twumasi-Appiah, who arrived at the court with his lawyers, Mr Joshua Nimako and Ken Anku was calm throughout the sitting.

However, Carlos the first accused was absent.

Twumasi-Appiah allegedly misrepresented himself to the Police and succeeded in causing the Police to release 30,000 dollars belonging to a Spanish businessman, Juan Francisco Osorio Lozano, to Carlos without the consent of Lozano.

The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) A. Dery told the court that though the accused was present, the complainant had travelled. He said he was determined to start the case, but due to the absence of the complainant it had to be adjourned.

Mr Joshua Nimako, Leading Counsel for Twumasi-Appiah, apologised to the court for his client's non-appearance at previous sittings. He explained that the non-appearance of the accused was not to disrespect the court, but that he was on official duty outside the countr y. The accused persons had been charged for conspiracy, defrauding by false pretences and stealing, but their pleas had not been taken. However, the court admitted Twumasi-Appiah to GH¢100,000 self recognisance bail, while Carlos was admitted to GH¢150,000 bail with th ree sureties. The prosecution's case is that Mr Lozano, complainant, arrived in Gh ana to transact business.

Sometime in March this year, Nana Kwame Donkor, a businessman, transacted business with Mr Lozano on behalf of his company to supply gol d worth 160,000 dollars in three tranches. After two supplies, Nana Donkor was unable to supply the third tranc he and promised to refund the remaining amount to Mr Lozano. Prosecution said Nana Donkor contacted Twumasi-Appiah to help transf er the money to the complainant in instalments since it was impossible to transfer the amount in cash through the banks. It said two cheques were therefore signed and left for the accused persons to facilitate the transfer. However, Nana Donkor paid 30,000 dollars as part payment to the Poli ce to be given to the complainant. The accused persons went to the Office of Superintendent of Police, Yaa Tiwa Danso, Commander of Commercial Crime Unit, where Carlos claimed the complainant was sick and unable to travel to Ghana, and had therefore instructed him (Carlos) to collect the money on his behalf. The prosecution said with Twumasi-Appiah in the frontline, the Polic e did not suspect any foul play and subsequently released the money to Carl os, only for the businessman to show up demanding his money.

The case has been adjourned to Monday, August 2.