Two men who allegedly took GH₵720,000 from a business executive under the pretext of assisting him to purchase three tipper trucks and a backhoe machine have been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

The accused persons, Ebenezer Kwame Boadi, a self-styled businessman, and Frank A-Ugidimah-Ananvura Aborigo, are alleged to have also taken a cheque valued at GH₵20,000 from the complainant under the pretext of facilitating the transfer of a government hospital construction contract.

They have been jointly charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and two counts of defrauding by false pretence.

The accused persons did not take their plea after Police Chief Inspector Samuel Ahiabor told the court, presided over by Afia Owusuaa Appiah, that investigations were not yet complete.

The court subsequently admitted them to bail in the sum of GH₵800,000 each, with three sureties each.

One of the sureties for each accused person is required to be justified with landed property.

Their alleged accomplice, identified only as Mike, is currently at large.

The case has been adjourned to March 15, 2023.

Alleged hospital contract

The prosecution said the complainant was a business executive and that the accused persons were residents of Achimota Mile 7 and El-Wak respectively.

It said in April 2021, Boadi allegedly introduced Aborigo to the complainant and convinced him that they had been awarded a government Agenda 111 project contract, which they intended to sell.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons presented a purported contract document bearing the name of Obenewaa and Sons Limited.

The complainant reportedly developed an interest in the contract but requested that it be legally transferred into his company's name.

The prosecution said the accused persons assured the complainant that they could facilitate the transfer and subsequently collected GH₵20,000 from him for that purpose.

It said the complainant also issued an Absa Bank cheque with a face value of GH₵381,465 to the accused persons.

Tipper trucks and backhoe

The prosecution further alleged that Boadi later told the complainant that he and Mike, who is currently at large, had been tasked by national security operatives to identify prospective buyers for three tipper trucks and a backhoe machine at the Tema Harbour.

The equipment was allegedly being offered for auction at GH₵720,000.

According to the prosecution, Boadi sent pictures of the purported trucks and backhoe to the complainant via WhatsApp to convince him of the deal.

Boadi allegedly requested the GH₵720,000 to be paid into an auction sales account in advance of the auction.

The prosecution said about a week later, Boadi returned to the complainant and collected the money after the complainant issued an Ecobank cheque with a face value of GH₵720,000 for the equipment.

After allegedly cashing the money, the accused persons issued receipts to the complainant and promised to deliver the vehicles within a week.

However, the prosecution said the accused persons failed to fulfil their promise and subsequently went into hiding.

Efforts by the complainant to locate them allegedly proved unsuccessful.

The matter was reported to the police on February 14, 2023.

Boadi was arrested on February 17, 2023, while Aborigo reported himself to the police on February 20, 2023.