Ayittey Powers 'fingered' in visa racketeering deal; victims resort to deity

Ghanaian boxer, Ayittey Powers is facing allegations of fraud as two people in Kumasi accuse him of defrauding them of Gh¢14,000 .00, under the pretext of securing travel documents for them.

Kofi Asare and Prince Adjei Sarpong, also known as Nana Yaw allegedly paid Gh¢7,500.00 and Gh¢6,500, respectively, as part-payment of Gh¢28,000.00 for visa to enable them travel to Australia for a boxing contest.

Documents purported to have been presented to the Australian High Commission in Accra for visa identified Asare as the boxer while Nana Yaw was said to be a trainer.

They were however denied visas because the documents were found to be fake.

Persistent efforts by the two men to get a refund of their money have failed.

They are threatening to resort to spiritual means to retrieve their money

The two young men made the accusation on Kumasi-based Nhyira FM's Wiase Mu Nsem program on Thursday.

Nhyira FM is privy to a copy of an invitation note supposedly sent by a boxing promoter in Australia to facilitate visa processing for the complainants.

On a letter-head of Ace Boxing Promotions, 7 Wilonda Street, Robertson QLD 4109, the document, signed by one Angelo Di Carlo, Promoter and Co-ordinator, indicates Asare and Nana Yaw have been invited to take part in a boxing tournament in Brisbane on Saturday July 26, 2014.

Interestingly, the same document which describes  the two alleged victims as males with passport numbers G0664044 and G0654978, respectively, refers to them as ''ladies'' and 'she'  in another section.

It read “As the promoter of this event, I will provide round trip air tickets, food allowance, and accommodation for the ladies stay in Australia for this promotion. She will be accommodated at a Hotel that is close to the boxing venue for this promotion. She will be picked up and looked after by me throughout her whole stay in Australia”.

Ayittey Powers admitted taking the money but he insisted he had used the money to process documents, including boxing licenses allegedly from the Ghana Boxing Authority, for the accusers.

“The money they brought to me I didn't eat [ spend a] penny. I used money to do their paper work for them to get their visa to travel. Boss(interviewer), if you are asking me where is their money, their money I used to pay for their visa fee, their license, their affidavit and the paper work, I have to go and collect from the people? Ayittey powers quizzed.

Further questions by Kofi  Gyimah  Ankoana, host of Wiase Mu Nsem program, as to when he will pay back the money to the alleged victims infuriated Ayitey Powers who resorted to insults on radio.

“Aah, boss don't talk stupid. You too don't talk stupid there. I told you something and you are telling me f***ing s**t.  Are you stupid? Are you f***ing and out of your mind?” Ayitey Powers spewed out angrily.

But he would not say his actions were legal or illegal, saying he is in the business to help people.

“I don't know it's legal or illegal. Me I'm doing my work to help people so if these people say I don't do their work I want you to ask them 'am I a Counselor', he instructed the host.

Ayitey denies submitting fake documents, adding Asare and Nana Yaw were refused visas after it was detected both had earlier applied for and refused visas, having given different professional identities.

Kofi Asare and Prince Adjei Sarpong admitted having been refused visas by the Australian High Commission.

They however claimed to have informed Ayitey Powers about it but they went ahead to enter a deal with the boxer after he had assured them of getting the visas for them in spite of their earlier hitch.

Meanwhile, Asare and Nana Yaw have vowed to seek spiritual intervention at the popular Antoa Nyamaa deity in Ashanti Region to enable them to retrieve their money.

  Story by Ohemeng Tawiah/Nhyira FM/Ghana