Fraudulent sale of lands - three persons in court

Tema, Feb. 26, GNA - A driver and a carpenter who fraudulently sold a parcel of land at Bethlehem, near Ashaiman, at 20 million cedis have been fined 15 million cedis each or in default three years' imprisonment by the Tema Circuit Court "A".
Louis Agozi alias Dada, Driver and Geoffrey Kwawukume, Carpenter, pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and conspiracy.
Daniel Kassah, Carpenter, the third accused, who pleaded not guilty, was granted 50 million cedis bail with one surety, while bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Rebecca Seshie and Godwin Agozi, who are at large.
Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Mary Assunta told the court presided over by Mr Charles Asiedu that in 2003, Louis, Geoffrey, Daniel, Rebecca and Godwin acted together and hatched a plan to sell a parcel of land belonging to the aunt of Louis at Bethlehem. She said Daniel contacted his Master, Mr Fredrick Amoateng and told him about a plot of land for sale and he got someone, who is interested to buy; adding that contact was made to a family friend, who expressed interest.
Louis, Daniel and Geoffrey asked Rebecca and Godwin to pose as Daniel's aunt and son respectively, so that they could bargain and pegged the price of the plot at 20 million cedis.
Chief Inspector Assunta said the complainant paid the accused persons 20 million cedis. Thereafter he started developing the plot and invested 40 million cedis on it.
On February 9, 2004, Gladys Aforkpa identified herself as the lawful owner of the plot and asked the complainant to stop work and a report was made to the Police and all the accused persons were arrested.