Businessman jailed 10 years for GH¢3m fraud

An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a 38-year-old businessman, Alhaji Fareed Amin Yakubu, to 10 years’ imprisonment for defrauding a businesswoman of GH¢3 million.

The convict, who had initially pleaded not guilty to one count of defrauding by false pretences and two counts of issuing false cheques, was found guilty by the court presided over by Justice Bright Samuel Acquah, a High Court judge sitting with additional responsibility as a Circuit Court judge.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Yakubu was fined GH¢12,000. In default, he will serve an additional two years’ imprisonment for issuing false cheques. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Trial in absentia

Yakubu’s trial was conducted in absentia in line with Article 19(3)(a) of the 1992 Constitution after he jumped bail.

The provision empowers the court to try an accused person in their absence if they fail or refuse to appear before it.

Facts of the case

According to the facts contained in the judgment, the prosecution said Yakubu collected GH¢3 million from Madam Darling Tuffour in April 2021 under the pretext of investing in an oil business, with a promise to repay the amount.

On May 18, 2021, he issued a cheque for GH¢2,100,000 drawn on Stanbic Bank, which was dishonoured due to insufficient funds.

He subsequently issued another cheque for GH¢1,050,000 on September 24, 2021, drawn on First Atlantic Bank, which was also dishonoured.

Police action

The complainant, a businesswoman residing at East Legon, reported the matter to the police after efforts to trace Yakubu proved unsuccessful.

The prosecution said Yakubu later reported himself to the police after his details were published in the media.