A 47-year-old teacher, Ernestina Koranteng, is standing trial before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a Ghanaian resident in the United States of $33,400 and stealing $11,000, totaling $44,400. The alleged crimes occurred between 2020 and 2021.
Koranteng reportedly promised to use the money to build a house and establish a pharmacy for the complainant. However, the prosecution claims she failed to deliver on these promises and instead deceived the complainant with false representations.
The Allegations
According to court records, Koranteng purportedly took the complainant to a rented short-stay property in Dansoman, claiming she had purchased it for her. She also alleged that she had built a house at Ablekuma-Joma, but it was demolished.
The accused is facing two charges of stealing and two charges of defrauding by false pretenses. During her first court appearance, she pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The presiding judge, Mr. Isaac Addo, granted her bail of one million Ghana cedis, with three sureties who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori-Appiah, has been directed to comply with disclosure rules. The case has been adjourned to April 9, 2025.
Background of the Case
The complainant, a Ghanaian based in the United States and originally from Akim Asafo in the Eastern Region, reportedly trusted Koranteng with significant sums of money. In 2020, she shipped an unregistered Chevrolet Sonic sedan and a VW Passat sedan, valued at $5,500 and $6,000 respectively, to Ghana. She entrusted these vehicles to Koranteng, who sold them and claimed the proceeds were used to develop a piece of land at Ablekuma-Joma for the complainant.
Following this, the complainant sent additional funds amounting to $18,400 to finance the land’s development.
In 2024, Koranteng convinced the complainant to send another $15,000 to set up a pharmacy. However, when the complainant returned to Ghana in December 2024 to inspect her investments, she uncovered alleged falsehoods.
Koranteng took her to a house in Dansoman with GPS number GA-507-7636, claiming it was her property. When the complainant requested access, Koranteng claimed the caretaker was unavailable. Further inquiries about the pharmacy revealed that no such business existed.
Police Investigation
Alarmed, the complainant reported the matter to the police on January 22, 2025. Koranteng was arrested the following day.
Investigations revealed that the Dansoman property was a short-stay rental and not owned by the complainant. Furthermore, the alleged house at Ablekuma-Joma did not exist, and there was no evidence of demolition at the site.
Koranteng later led the police to a bare plot of land, claiming it was where the house once stood. Investigators, however, found no proof to substantiate her claims.
Current Developments
The case has drawn significant attention due to the substantial amounts involved and the trust the complainant placed in the accused. As proceedings continue, the court will determine whether the accused indeed defrauded and stole from the complainant or if there are mitigating circumstances to the allegations.
The case resumes on April 9, 2025, with many awaiting its outcome.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
