Accra (Greater Accra), 29th October 99
Unemployed David Alara, who attempted to defraud a staff of the Forestry Commission of 250 dollars, on Thursday, appeared before a circuit tribunal in Accra.
Alara, 36, who claimed that he is half-Ghanaian and half-Nigerian, pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences and was remanded in custody until November 12.
The tribunal, chaired by Mrs. Frances Owusu Arhin, ordered the prosecution to investigate the background of the accused, who has no fixed abode in the country.
The prosecution should also investigate Alara's passport and any other document supporting his claim as a Ghanaian.
Police Detective Chief Inspector Edward Antwi said on July Six this year, Alara called the complainant, Mr. Edward Yao Katahene, an administrator of the Forestry Commission, on telephone at Lome and introduced himself as David, the husband of Mr. Katahene's sister-in-law, resident in London.
Chief Inspector Antwi said Alara claimed that he had travelled from London to Nigeria and was in Togo on his way to Ghana, on a business trip.
Chief Inspector Antwi said Alara told Mr. Katahene that he had some dollars concealed in his luggage, which he was bringing into the country and that he needed 250 dollars to clear the luggage.
The prosecutor said the complainant then contacted the sister-in-law, who told him that, her husband was in London and had not travelled.
He said the Police was informed and they arrested Alara, when he went to collect the money at the office of the Forestry Commission.
GRi