Nkwanta, Ghana – Anyebas James, a 23-year-old level 200 student at the University of Development Studies (UDS), has been sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment with hard labour by the Nkwanta District court for defrauding a businessman in the Nkwanta South Municipality.
The convict, who pleaded guilty to the charges, was convicted by the court presided over by Mr. Joseph Evans Anang Okrupa.
According to Police Inspector Bright Nana Nkansah, the incident occurred on July 10 of this year when the convict posted a Haojue DR motorbike for sale on his WhatsApp status and Facebook wall.
The complainant, Mr. S.K Kwasi, expressed interest in purchasing the motorbike after seeing the post.
The two parties negotiated the price, settling at GHC8,500, and the convict instructed Mr. Kwasi to transfer the money to his mobile money (Momo) account to facilitate the motorbike's transfer. The buyer complied with the request.
Inspector Nkansah explained that after receiving the full payment, the convict then demanded an additional GH¢1,100 to cover the registration of the motorbike, bringing the total to GH¢9,600.
However, the convict failed to fulfil his end of the agreement and went into hiding in Nalerigu after numerous attempts to contact him. Frustrated by the situation, Mr. Kwasi reported the matter to the Nkwanta Police Station, leading to the arrest of the defendant at his hideout.
In an effort to resolve the issue, the convict's family raised GH¢4,000, which they presented to the court to repay part of the money he had taken.
As a result of his actions, Anyebas James was sentenced to 12 months in prison, serving as a deterrent to him and others who may consider engaging in similar fraudulent activities.
Reporting by Patience Tawiah. Editing by Mariam Aminu.
