Fake American attorney dragged to court

A fake American attorney who allegedly defrauded several persons totalling 180 million cedis and various foreign currencies under the pretext of securing them United States visa's appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Friday.

Rodney John Wilson pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of impersonation, defrauding by false pretences and disturbing public peace.

The court, chaired by Mr Emmanuel Ankamah admitted him to a 350-million cedis bail with one surety to be justified. He is to reappear on December 9. Prosecuting, Police Inspector Emmanuel Boison told the court that between August and September, this year, Wilson, visited Ghana and came into contact with Edmund Assibu, one of the complainants and Oladipo Akindele executive director of Genesis International Consultant Limited located at Trinity House, Osu an Accra suburb.

He said Wilson introduced himself to Assibu and Akindele as a state attorney in USA.

Based on that, prosecution said the consultancy firm, employed him as the President of the firm to advise and train its staff.

Prosecution said the firm, offered 25 per cent of its earnings to him until he left the firm and established his own firm and began offering services to clients at Trevi Hotel, East Legon in Accra.

Police Inspector Boison said accused succeeded in collecting 180 million cedis from six persons and other foreign currencies from several others at the Buduburam Camp under the pretext of securing them visas to America and other countries, provide jobs and accommodation as well as assisting them to win the American DV Lottery.

Prosecution said following the accused person's involvement in a number of cases, INTERPOL-Ghana and American Embassy were informed to investigate the background of the accused person in America.

He said it came to light that the accused was not a state attorney in the US and had about 32 criminal cases against him in Atlanta and Georgia.

The prosecution said the accused was granted bail by the police after investigations to report to the police, after which he had a quarrel with Akindele, at the Police headquarters.

He said the accused and Akindele were charged for disturbing public peace but Akindele failed to appear before the court.