Businessman busted in fuel deal

A businessman has allegedly defrauded the Managing Director of Grace Petrol Company Limited in Haatso, a suburb of Accra, by taking fuel supply amounting to GH¢94,956.10  without making appropriate payments.

The businessman, Abubakai Musah, who has been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court under the charges of defrauding by false pretense and four counts of issuing of false cheques, allegedly convinced the complainant to supply him with the fuel, and thereafter, issued false cheques in payment.

He allegedly issued false cheques with numbers 000062, 000072, 000075 and 000074 to cash the sum of GH¢53,085, GH¢26,280, GH¢23,098 and GH¢30,492 respectively from the Capital Plus Saving and Loans located at Accra Newtown.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges leveled against him before the court presided over by Mrs. Patience Mills-Tetteh.

He has been admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties, and expected to re-appear before the court on May 30, 2012.

The underlining facts are that during October 2011, one of the complainant's account officers introduced the accused person as his friend, and pleaded with him to supply him with fuel, since he was assured of his credibility and honesty in the payment of monies.

The prosecutor, Superintendent Kofi Blagozi, told the court that the accused person assured the complainant of payment if supplied, and based on his presentation, the complainant supplied him fuel amounting to GH¢94,956.10.

He said the accused person then issued post dated cheques covering the said amount, however, when the cheques matured and were presented to the bank, they was dishonoured.

'The accused person was informed, and knowing well it was his intention to defraud the complainant, took a hideout in Tamale.

'The Tamale police were informed by the account officer, who assisted them to arrest the accused person,' the prosecutor noted.

He mentioned that the Madina police were informed, and the accused person was brought down to assist with investigations.

'In his caution statement, he admitted issuing a check, and as well admitted being supplied with fuel of the said amount by the complainant.

'He, however, denied having defrauded the complainant, adding that the accused person has since paid GH¢10,000 in bank drafts,' the Superintendent added.