Canadian Businessman Denies $4m Fraud

Alistair Jude Mathias

Alistair Jude Mathias, the Canadian businessman who was reported by DAILY GUIDE as having allegedly duped his Ghanaian business partner, has vehemently rebutted defrauding him, describing the story as false.

Reacting to the publication carried in the last Monday edition of the newspaper - through his solicitors, Kunlendi @ Law – Mr. Mathias said the story was 'defamatory.'

The lawyers stated in a letter dated September 16, 2014 and delivered yesterday, September 18,  'It is our reasoned opinion that the banner headline as represented to the entire Ghanaian populace is defamatory of our client's hard earned reputation as an internationally acclaimed businessman of sterling integrity and honour as same is untrue and represents our client as a fraudster.'

According to Mr. Jude Mathias' solicitors, 'This publication has not only damaged our client's reputation, both locally and internationally, but has also caused and is still causing him psychological and emotional trauma together with his young family. The said publication has subjected him to public opprobrium and shuns, extreme embarrassment and caused him great hardship and expense.'

Jude Mathias claims he has not been charged for any offence in Ghana.

In the said publication, headlined, 'Canadian Dupes Ghanaian Businessman $4m,' DAILY GUIDE indicated among other things, that 'a Ghanaian businessman who has been dealing in gold for some years now was allegedly defrauded by his Canadian business partner to the tune of $4 million.'

Mr. Mathias claims he had not been involved in any fraudulent deals in his gold business and therefore the publication was not true.

As at press time last night, the Ghanaian businessman had travelled to Dubai where the two are locked up in a legal battle.

By Peter Atiemo