Trader convicted for fraud

Accra, Nov. 2, GNA - A 55-year-old trader was on Tuesday fined 12 million cedis by a Circuit Court for defrauding two women. Dora Duah was found guilty of defrauding Zinabu Masawudu of 6,000 dollars and 20 million cedis under the pretext of securing her with a US visa and Alimatu Iddriss of 10.4 million cedis to provide her with kola nuts.

Dora was found guilty on two counts of defrauding by false pretences, or in default serve six years in jail. The case as presented by Inspector Mary Agbozo was that the complainants, Zinabu Masawudu and Alimatu Iddriss, reside at Abeka La Paz in Accra.

In August 2002, Dora who hails from Kumasi came to live with a friend in the same house with the complainants. The prosecution said Dora, who had heard that Zinabu was preparing to join her husband in the US told her that she could secure a visa and other travelling documents through a Dr Owusu Achiaw of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

Dora therefore, collected 6,000 dollars 20 million cedis from Zinabu.

The prosecution said Dora also collected 10.4 million cedis from Alimatu for the kola nuts.

The prosecutor said Dora after collecting the money disappeared. The complainants, however, traced her to Wenchi in the Brong Ahafo Region and she assured them that she was working on the visa and the kola.

Dora was never seen again until on June 1, this year, when Zinabu spotted her at Kaneshie and caused her arrest. The prosecution said enquiries made at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital indicated that there was no medical officer named Dr Owusu Achiaw, whom Dora claimed could have assisted in the transaction. 02 Nov. 04