Welder remanded at Tarkwa for fraud

A 28-year old welder, who extorted money from the public under the pretext of securing jobs for them at Goldfields Ghana Limited (GGL) Tarkwa mine, has been remanded into prison custody by a Tarkwa Circuit Court.

The accused person, Patrick Adjei, pleaded not guilty to the charge of defrauding by false pretense.

Adjei who is facing four similar charges before the same court will re-appear on September 14, for further hearing.

Prosecuting Police Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the court, presided over by Mr. Justice Alex Obeng Asante, that the complainant, Leticia Cudjoe, is a nurse at Ami Memorial Hospital inTarkwa.

Inspector Amponsah said in June this year, the complainant, who stays at Brahabebom, a suburb of Tarkwa, met the accused person at her work place and he introduced himself as a military officer on duty at GGL, Tarkwa mine.

Adjei then indicated that he could secure her a job at GGL, Tarkwa mine, and demanded GH¢ 2,200.00 from her.

The complainant became interested, and later paid the money involved to the accused person.

Inspector Amponsah said after Adjei received the amount from the complainant, he went into hiding until August 19, when Ms Cudjoe had information that he been arrested in connection with a similar case at the Tarkwa Police Station.

The complainant proceeded to the police station and identified the accused person as the one who committed the crime and so he was re-arrested.

The prosecution said the accused person admitted the offence in his caution statement and indicated that he collected only GH¢ 1,000.00 from the complainant.