Arrest Jewel Ackah - Court orders

Accra, Feb. 11, GNA - An Accra Circuit Court on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Jewel Kofi Ackah, a renowned musician, for failing to appear before it.

Ackah is standing trial for allegedly defrauding a businessman of 5,000 dollars under the pretext of securing him an American visa. He has pleaded not guilty and the Court chaired by Mr Williwise Kyeremeh had admitted him to a 50-million cedis bail.

Ackah has since January 30 failed to appear in court and a bench warrant was, therefore, issued for his arrest.

Earlier, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Paul Frimpong had told the Court that the complainant, Mr Samuel Duodu was a Ghanaian, resident in London while the accused was living in Tema.

Prosecution said in 1998, Ackah went to Berlin to perform where he met Duodu. One Aba Cole, a Cousin to Ackah introduced the complainant to Ackah and during their conversation, the complainant discussed with him (Ackah) of his intention to send his junior brother, Andrew Duodu to the US.

Ackah told the complainant that he could secure a US visa and an air ticket for the brother for a fee of 5,000 dollars. Prosecution said the complainant gave Ackah 1,000 dollars in Berlin as part payment.

When Ackah returned to Ghana, he invited the witness, Andrew Duodu, who was in Berekum, to Tema in furtherance to the agreement. Subsequently, the complainant sent another 2,000 dollars in mid 1999 and the rest of the money through complainant's brother Duodu Kumi, who handed it over to the accused.

After Andrew had stayed with the accused for sometime and saw no sign of travelling to the US he went back to Berekum.

The complainant heard about his brother's plight and consequently gave the Power of Attorney to his father, Stephen Duodu to collect the money from the accused but this proved futile.

Prosecution said the accused was released on bail to be reporting to the Police periodically but he failed to do so and was, therefore, served with summons to appear before the court.