Businessman, 73, Arrested For Using Sammy Awuku’s Name To Scam People
In connection with a GHC58,200 recruitment fraud, 73-year-old businessman Emmanuel King Opare, a well-known member of the opposition New Patriotic Party, and 55-year-old teacher Elizabeth Manukure, both residents of Akuapem Mamfe in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region, were detained.
Six victims who are complainants in the case were allegedly solicited for money under the guise of securing their recruitment in the security forces by the accused individuals, who are said to have used the identity of Sammi Awuku, Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery Authority (NLA).
The complainants are Benjamin, 32, a student-teacher; Freda, 32; Lydia, 28; Daniel, 25, an unemployed person; and Richard, 25, a trader, who lives in Koforidua. The others are Emmanuel, 25, an unemployed person, and Lydia, 28, an unemployed person.
The first accused, Emmanuel King Opare, told his friend Eric Okornoo in January 2021 that he has some protocol slots to fill in the security services and should find some people who are interested and ready to pay GHC7,000 for recruitment, GHC1,200 for medicals, and GHC1,500 for a prospectus, all totaling GHC97,00. These facts were presented by the prosecuting officer, Chief Inspector Bernard before a Koforidua Circuit court.
The witness alerted the former victims who are now the complainants, and they ultimately paid the GHC58,200 that was handed over to the first accused by the witness in the case along with their paperwork.
However, Mr. Opare repeatedly made up justifications and broke his vow to enlist them in the security services.
The case was submitted to the Railways Police station by the complainants and victims for inquiry.
The first suspect was apprehended at his hiding place in Mamfe Akuapem, where he identified Elizabeth Manukere as his sidekick.
She was detained as well.
She cited a Mr. Mensah, saying she had sent GHC25,200 to him since she said he was handling the recruitment.
Elizabeth Manukure acknowledged receiving GHC4,200 from Emmanuel King Opare for each victim during her caution statement, despite his allegations that she had been granted GHC9,700 each victim.
According to a police investigation, madam Manukure actually only received GHC25,200 from Mr. Opare, not the reported GHC58,200.
Mr. Opare kept GHC33,000 in his pocket.
The complainants have now received refunds from the accused of GHC11,500 and GHC4,000.
When brought before Kwame Polley’s Koforidua Circuit Court ‘A,’ the defendants entered a plea of guilty.
Adu Amankwah, the defense attorney, appealed with the judge to grant the accused bail and give them three months to pay back the remaining money.
The accused were chastised by the judge for deceiving people who might have been their offspring and grandkids.
The defendants were given a bail amount of GHC30,000 with two sureties apiece by the judge.
The case has been postponed until July 4, 2022, when the court anticipates the accused parties to have reimbursed the remaining funds.
