Visa contractor remanded

Tema, Jan. 26, GNA - The Tema circuit court 'B' has remanded into custody for one month, a visa contractor who jumped bail and had been in a hide out since June 24, 2002.

George Okyere, who had pleaded not guilty and was granted bail during his first appearance, was not seen in court again.

Inspector Ben Agbedanu told the court, presided over by Mr Stephen Teye, that he inherited the docket from Chief Inspector Alice Gyamfi, now on officer's course and therefore did not know the accused.

He explained that it was the crime officer in-charge of the case from Railway and Harbours police station that arrested the accused from town and brought him to court in the morning.

The accused and one other had defrauded one George Freeman of 4,000 US dollars and 10 million cedis under the pretext of securing a USA visa for him but they failed to honour their promise and the case was reported to the police.

The accused told the court that he was trying to chase the man whom he gave the money but could not see him.