Court Denies Bail for Self-Styled Businesswoman in Fraud Case
The Adabraka District Court in Accra has remanded a 62-year-old woman, Nana Ama Nwurueze, for allegedly defrauding a fellow businesswoman of $13,000 under false pretenses.
Accused Deceived Victim with Fake Wealth
According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Apewa Achana, the accused posed as a wealthy businesswoman claiming to own substantial properties, including Ohemaa Plaza in East Legon, fishing vessels in Takoradi, and a house at Airport Residential Area. She allegedly used these false claims to deceive the complainant, Dorothy Asare, into handing over the money.
The accused was arrested in March 2024 after a bench warrant was issued in December 2023 for evading police investigations. She has been charged with defrauding by false pretenses but has pleaded not guilty.
Court Denies Bail, Citing Flight Risk
Appearing before Her Worship Abena Asoh Owusu-Omenyo, Nwurueze’s lawyer, George Asamani, applied for bail, arguing that his client had been unwell and had no intention of evading justice. He assured the court that she would be available for trial.
However, Chief Inspector Achana opposed the bail request, stating that Nwurueze had gone into hiding after being granted police bail and failed to report for investigations. The judge denied the bail application, ruling that she posed a flight risk, and ordered her to be remanded into custody.
Case Timeline and Next Steps
The fraud case was initially reported at the Airport Police Station in 2021, but multiple attempts to apprehend the accused failed. The complainant later petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), leading to her eventual arrest in March 2024.
With Nwurueze now in custody, prosecutors are preparing to proceed with the trial to ensure justice for the complainant.
Source: CNR