Businessman jailed for impersonation
20th June 2017
A businessman believed to have connived with a driver and creating a Facebook and an e-mail account in the name of Dr K Opuni , the former CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board to collect monies from people in exchange for jobs have been jailed for eight years.
Christian Obeng a.k.a Borga was jailed for five years, while the driver Latif Apulala, the driver a.k.a Davido was also sentenced three years.
Mrs Ruby Naa Adjeley Quaison, who presided over the court ordered the two convicts to also sign bonds of exhibiting good behaviour for two years in default serve a year jail term each.
They were sentenced after they were found guilty by the court on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime.
The Prosecuting Assistant Supretendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Adjei told the court that Obeng is a resident of Akyeam Tafo while Apulala resides at Ofankor Seven Days.
On february 26 2016, a witness in the case reported to the police that he had seen a facebook profile of Stephen K Opuni and he suspected Obeng was in the process of defrauding unsuspecting persons under the pretext of securing them jobs with COCOBOD.
Upon contacting Dr Opuni , it was revealed that he has never had a Facebook account.
Mr Adjei said the witness further stated to the police that Obeng in a Facebook conversation stated helping the witness to secure a job with COCOBOD at a cost of GHC4,000.00.
Prosecution indicated that Obeng directed the witness to meet his messenger at Achimota Mile Seven to deliver his application as well as GHC 3,500.00 to facilitate the process.
Apulala was arrested upon turning up to meet the witness and collect the money and application, ASP Adjei said.
Obeng had given instructions to Apulala to take the money to his place and will meet up with him later to collect it.
Hours later, Obeng was arrested when he showed up rto collect the money.
Obeng admitted after being cautioned about creating of the Facebook and e-mail accounts with the link "stephenopuni43@gmail.com in the name of the CEO of COCOBOD to collect monies from people.
Apulala however denied involvement,saying he was only asked by Obeng to collect money and particulars of the witness involved.
by Salim Abubakr/ghanaguardian.com