A Former Black Stars player, Samuel Inkoom, Thursday deposited GH¢10,000, out of the US$8, 000 he was accused of having fraudulently taken from complainants, with the Kwabenya Circuit Court, in Accra.
Inkoom, who was charged with defrauding by false pretenses, pleaded with the court on September 25, 2024, that he would refund the full amount on October 31, when he would make his second appearance before the court.
The former Black Stars player told the court that he had offered his properties for sale and would refund the US$8,000 on October 31.
Consequently, the court, presided over by Ms. Mawusi Bedjrah, granted Inkoom’s request, who first appeared before it on July 23 of this year.
Inkoom was not in court yesterday but was represented by his counsel, Nii Ayitey Okine, who submitted the money to the court.
Nii Okine told the court that his client had been hospitalized at a health facility in Takoradi and directed him (the lawyer) to make a part payment, promising to refund the rest on the next adjourned date, December 2.
Chief Inspector Togbe Gershon Achondo, prosecuting, told the court that the complainants, Doris Dwakwah and her fiancé, Seth Osei Adjei, used to live in Dubai, while Inkoom, the footballer, was living in Accra.
The prosecution said the complainants were introduced to the accused while in Dubai and that he could assist them in relocating to the United States of America (USA).
Chief Insp. Achondo noted that the complainants contacted the accused to help them travel to the USA.
The court further heard that Inkoom told the complainants that he had a company that could facilitate their travel to the USA.
Chief Insp. Achondo stated that the accused asked the complainants to pay US$4,000 each, which they did through John Dadzie, the father of Doris Dankwa.
The prosecution disclosed that Dadzie handed over US$8,000 to Inkoom, being money from the complainants, at the Atlantic Towers, Airport, in Accra.
Chief Insp. Achondo told the court that after receiving the money, Inkoom failed to procure the USA visas for the complainants.
He revealed that several phone calls to the accused regarding the visas went unanswered.
Chief Insp. Achondo disclosed that the case was reported to the police, who invited the accused several times, but to no avail.
The prosecution told the court that the police further invited Inkoom through a board member of his former club, Accra Hearts of Oak, and his colleague footballers, but he failed to report to the police.
Chief Insp. Achondo said the accused was summoned to appear before the court via his WhatsApp.
GhanaianTimes