The Accra Circuit Court has ordered the remand of a forty-five year old businessman accused of defrauding multiple individuals of more than five hundred thousand Ghana Cedis. Graphic Online reports that the suspect allegedly claimed he could secure auction vehicles from the Tema Port through legitimate channels but failed to deliver any cars to the complainants after receiving payments.
According to court documents cited by GNA, the accused person pleaded not guilty to several counts of defrauding by false pretenses when he appeared before the presiding judge. The prosecution alleged that the businessman targeted victims by presenting themselves as a connected intermediary capable of bypassing standard auction delays at the port.
The Ghana News Agency reports that the court denied bail after the prosecution argued that the suspect might interfere with ongoing investigations or fail to reappear. The police are currently looking into additional claims from other potential victims who have come forward since the arrest according to Citi Newsroom accounts of the hearing.
Court records indicate that the presiding judge adjourned the case to a later date in the month to allow the prosecution time to file witness statements and complete their disclosures. The accused remains in police custody pending his next appearance as the judicial process continues to verify the evidence presented by the state prosecutors.