The Accra Circuit Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Collins Amoah, a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant for the Ablekuma Central Constituency. Amoah is wanted in connection with an alleged GH¢800,000 fraud case at Tse Addo, Accra.
Court documents indicate that Amoah and his alleged accomplice, a 51-year-old trader named Solomon Okuley, defrauded a businessman by promising to use their political influence to clear his tax debt with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). Instead, the prosecution claims the two misappropriated the entire sum for personal and political purposes.
Solomon Okuley has been granted bail set at GH¢1 million, with two sureties. The court, presided over by Judge Susana Eduful, stipulated that one surety must be an immediate family member, while both must be public servants earning at least GH¢5,000 per month. Okuley was also required to surrender his passport to the court registry for the duration of the case.
Okuley, who has pleaded not guilty, faces charges of defrauding by false pretence under Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The prosecution has been directed to submit all necessary disclosures and witness statements in preparation for legal proceedings.
The court has adjourned the case to February 3, 2025, for a Case Management Conference (CMC).
How the Alleged Fraud Unfolded
Chief Inspector Teye Okuffo, presenting the case, stated that in June 2024, the complainant, a businessman named Ababio, met with the accused persons. They allegedly convinced him to hand over GH¢800,000, assuring him that their political connections would help settle his GRA tax liabilities.
Trusting their promise, Ababio transferred the money in the presence of witnesses, expecting the debt to be resolved. However, after receiving the funds, Amoah and Okuley allegedly failed to deliver on their commitment and began avoiding the businessman.
By December 28, 2024, after months of unsuccessful attempts to reach them, Ababio realised he had been defrauded and reported the matter to the police. That same day, Okuley was arrested.
During police interrogation, Okuley reportedly admitted to taking the money but claimed that Amoah had taken GH¢650,000 for personal political activities instead of using it to clear the complainant’s tax debt.
Authorities are now searching for Collins Amoah as legal proceedings continue.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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