Supporters union chairman in custody for duping soccer fans

A SPORTS consultant in Accra, James Yalley, who is also the chairman of the Sports Supporters Association of Ghana, today appeared before an Accra Circuit Tribunal for allegedly defrauding three sports fans to the tune of ? 52.7 million, under the pretext of sending them to Spain, to watch the World Club Championship tournament.

Yalley pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretence and issuing of a dud cheque, and was remanded in prison custody to re-appear on July 23.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr J. K. Abraham, told the tribunal, chaired by Mr Imoru Ziblim, that in May last year, the accused appeared on a television sports programme, and announced an offer to send football fans to Spain to watch the World Club Championships, in which Accra Hearts of Oak was to feature.

The accused invited all interested persons to contact him for the necessary arrangements for the trip, the prosecution added.

Soon after the programme, the prosecution said, an Accra businessman paid ?18.86 million on behalf of his brother, who was interested in the trip.

The prosecuting said, another businessmen who watched the television programme, paid the accused ? 23.1 million, while a third person interested in watching the Spain tournament gave the accused ?10. 7 million to process the necessary papers for him.

The tribunal heard that, after collecting the money, the accused went into hiding.

The prosecution said that the accused was later arrested at a funeral at Elmina. During investigations, the accused admitted the offence and issued his victims a post-dated cheque for ?20 million to be cashed at an Accra bank, as part of the monies he collected from them.

The cheque was, however, dishonoured by the bank.

Refusing the accused bail, the tribunal said that looking at the facts of the case, the accused is not likely to appear for the trial if granted bail.