"Pilot" in court for fraud

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA- An Accra Circuit Court on Thursday remanded Pelssay Yusuf Norman, a "pilot" into prison custody for allegedly defrauding two persons of various sums of money under the pretext of assisting them to undertake pilot training with Air Million in South Africa.

He pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences and would re-appear on December 4.

His accomplice, Nelson Larbi, a Manager of "Peace Air Togo," an airline in Togo, who is at large, has been charged with abetment of crime. The Court chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Ankumah Orde red the Police to send the accused person to the Psychiatric Hospital for medical check up.

It asked the Police to investigate further on the office and residence of the accused person allegedly located at the Airport Residential Area.

Police Chief Inspector George Abavelim told the court that, the complainants Ridwan Taminu and Michael Kantey were student and tailor, respectively; both residing at Madina while the accused lived at Teshie.

He said in April this year, the complainants planned to travel outside Ghana and they were introduced to the accused person, who claimed to be a "pilot" with ''Peace Air Togo'' and could assist them to undergo training with Million Air in South Africa.

He said the accused collected a total amount of 2,050 dollars and 8.6 million cedis from the complainants and issued them with Identity cards as staff of "Peace Air Togo" and sending them to South Africa to undertake training at the Million Air.

Prosecution said the accused managed to secure Million Air Visas for the complainants and notified the South African High Commission in Ghana that he (accused) had been authorised by the director of Million Air to recruit people for them.

Police Chief Inspector Abavelim said on July 30, this year, complainants travelled to South Africa only to be questioned by the Operations Director of Million Air as to how they came by the visas because the institution had not authorised anyone to do so on its behalf.

He said the complainants returned to Ghana and reported the matter to the Police and the accused was arrested.

Prosecution said when the Operations Director of Million Air was contacted in South Africa he faxed a message denying receiving any money as the Million Air did not undertake training of pilots.

He said Police investigations also revealed that "Peace Air Togo" had not been registered with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the accused was not affiliated to any airline in Ghana.

Meanwhile the Police are haunting for Larbi, who facilitated the acquisition of the visas.