Visa racketeer charged with fraud

Accra (Greater Accra) 1^st July '99

William Godwill Kuevidjen, a self-styled financial analyst who collected 5,000 dollars from three persons with a promise to secure British visas for them but failed do so, appeared before a circuit tribunal in Accra on Wednesday.

His charged, defrauding by false pretences.

The prosecution told the tribunal, chaired by Charles Nyewolema, that the complainants, Miss Jacqueline Osei Agyeman, a housewife, Mr Alexander Joel Kojo, a trader and Mr Francis Tawiah, unemployed, are based in Kumasi, while the accused lives at Dansoman in Accra.

In January 1997 the complainants wanted to travel to Britain but could not obtain British visas. One Yaw Agyeman, therefore, introduced the complainants to Kuevidjen as someone who could get visas for them.

The prosecutor said last two years Kuevidjen collected 2,000 dollars from Miss Osei Agyeman, 1,000 dollars from Mr Kojo and 2,000 dollars from Mr Tawiah, and promised to procure the visas for them in a month's time.

He said Kuevidjen did not get the visas and he was reported to the police. He admitted the offence and pledged to refund the money through the police but to date he has refunded only 1.5 million cedis.

Kuevidjen, 46, pleaded not guilty and was granted 10 million cedis bail to appear again on July 21.

GRi../