Indian tourist jailed

The Osu Community Tribunal in Accra has jailed a sixty-two year old Indian tourist, Murari Chatterjee, for one week in hard labour, for checking out of a hotel without settling his bills.

Chatterjee, who is also believed to be a member of the "419 Scam" syndicate, pleaded guilty to defrauding by false pretence. He is to be deported after serving the sentence.

The tribunal, chaired by Nana Donkor, was told that the accused arrived in the country on 25 September 2001, and checked in at the Holiday Hotel, at Dzorwulu, in Accra.

The prosecution said, after spending four days at the hotel, the accused sneaked out, leaving behind a bill of 2,540 dollars being the cost of accommodation and other services he enjoyed at the hotel.

According to the prosecution, on 19 October 2001, the Managing Director of the Holiday Hotel, Kwabena Amoakohene, spotted the accused standing in front of the Mascot Hotel at North Kaneshie and immediately caused his arrest.

A search on him by the police revealed documents, asking certain individuals and companies to make huge advance payments for the supply of certain goods, as often done by the "419 Scam" syndicate.

The prosecution said the accused had enjoyed accommodation and other services at the Mascot Hotel to the tune of 11.76 million dollars at the time of his arrest. However, the Mascot Hotel management did not make any complaint against the accused.