Herbalist on remand for fraud

Koforidua, June 28, GNA - Kassim Ibrahim, a 27-year-old herbalist, was on Thursday remanded into prison custody for defrauding by a Koforidua Magistrate's Court.

Ibrahim, who pleaded not guilty, presided over by Ms Cynthia Wiredu, will re-appear on July 4.

Police Chief Inspector Eric Twum-Frimpong told the court that the complainant is a businessman at Koforidua and Ibrahim lives at Asesewa.

He said in January, the complainant met Ibrahim at the Koforidua Central Market and they became friends and exchanged telephone numbers.

Chief Inspector Twum-Frimpong said they communicated occasionally and during one of their conversations, Ibrahim told the complainant he had super natural powers which he could use to conjure money for him.

He said the complainant showed interest and on June 8, he invited Ibrahim to his house and later took him to a hotel and paid for the accommodation.

The prosecutor said Ibrahim initially demanded GH¢ 70.00 to enable him to purchase some items for the rituals after which he demanded an additional GH¢ 1,440.00 and a sheep.

After collecting the money and the sheep, Ibrahim assured the complainant that everything would be successful.

Chief Inspector Twum-Frimpong said the following day, Ibrahim called the complainant to the hotel and showed him a box supposedly containing an unspecified amount of GH¢1.00 denomination.

Ibrahim then directed the complainant to take GH¢ 5.00 from the box to go and use.

The prosecutor said at about 2100 hours, on the same day, the complainant went back to the hotel to inform Ibrahim that the money was genuine but Ibrahim told him that the money had mysteriously vanished from the box.

Chief Inspector Twum-Frimpong said the complainant then suspected foul play and reported the case to the police.

Ibrahim was arrested and admitted the offence in his statement.

GNA