The trial of Akosua Agyapong, a highlife musician, who is accused of conspiring with her brother to defraud a businessman of GH¢105,000.00 in a land transaction deal, began at an Accra Circuit Court on Monday.
Mr Jonas Asamoah, the complainant, who was led by the Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Agnes Boafo, gave evidence before the court, presided over by Mrs Priscilla Dapaah.
Mr Asamaoh told the court how his wife informed him that she had gathered information, which revealed that Frank Agyemang, one of the accused persons, was an alleged land guard and that he (Asamoah) should quit the land transaction.
According to the witness, his wife’s allegation came after he had paid GHȼ65,000.00 and GHȼ30,000.00 on different occasions to Agyemang and Akosua.
Mr Asamoah, the first prosecution witness, said when he quizzed Akosua over the information concerning his brother, Akosua denied same saying she could bet her last coin on his brother.
He said the two accused persons proposed that they should be given cash of GHȼ65,000 .00 so he (Asamoah) went to one of the branches of the Universal Merchant Bank for the amount and handed it over to Akosua and Agyemang.
He said on January 21, this year, after paying GHȼ65,000.00 as first tranche, Akosua and Agyemang issued receipt to him.
The witness said he went into the land transaction because of Akosua’s popularity and the fact that she had assured him that the land was genuine.
According to the witness, Agyemang asked him to get a surveyor to prepare a new site plan because the one on the said parcel of land was outmoded.
Witness told the court that he, therefore, paid GHȼ1,300.00 for the new site plan.
Mr Asamoah said on March 27, this year, Akosua delivered two copies of indentures, which were prepared in the name of one Dora Amoasi Okyere.
The witness said when he lamented over the name ‘Dora Amoasi Okyere,’ Agyemang told him that he purchased the plot from Dora Amoasi Okyere who would transfer the property to him (Agyemang)
The witness tendered text messages between Akosua, Agyemang and himself.
Mr Asamoah further tendered various receipts on monies paid, indenture and site plan in court.
Akosua and her accomplice Frank Agyemang, a businessman, a.k.a. Killer Boss, have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and fraudulent transaction of land.
ASP Boafo said the complainant in the case was a car dealer whiles Agyemang is a building contractor.
According to ASP Boafo, in February this year, the businessman who was interested in a parcel of land where he could display his cars for sale contacted Akosua for assistance.
The Prosecutor said she told the businessman that she had a plot of land for rent, but the businessman wanted an outright sale.
ASP Boafo said Akosua later introduced Agyemang to the complainant as her brother, who had one plot of land opposite the West Hills Mall for sale.
The businessman, after inspecting the land expressed interest.
The Prosecutor said Akosua assured the complainant that the land was genuine and that Agyemang was the rightful owner.
‘They then took the businessman to the Lands Commission, went into one of the offices and came out with someone who confirmed that the land indeed belonged to Agyemang, and upon this, the businessman became convinced,” she added.
Afterwards, the prosecutor said, the businessman paid GH¢ 105,000.00 for the land and later gave a Toyota RAV 4 vehicle costing GH¢100,000.00 to Agyemang for another plot of land.
‘When the complainant went to work on the land, another person came to him claiming ownership of the land with the original documents. He reported the matter to the police leading to Akosua and Agyemang’s arrest. Agyemang, through his uncle, has released the vehicle to the police,” ASP Boafo said.
Agyemang has pleaded not guilty and on bail in the sum of GH¢160,000.00 with three sureties, one of whom is to be justified.
Akosua was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢160,000.00 with three sureties, one to be a public or civil servant earning not less than GH¢ 2,000.00.
She has also pleaded not guilty to the charges before the court. Hearing continues on Wednesday, December 13. 2017.
