Alhaji Fareed Amin Yakubu, a 38-year-old businessman, has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in absentia for fraud.
He was also fined GH¢12,000 or, in default, to serve two years for issuing false cheques. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The court, presided over by Justice Bright Samuel Acquah, delivered the ruling on Wednesday.
Yakubu pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretences and two counts of issuing false cheques but absconded after being granted bail.
A bench warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest. After two years without success in tracing him, the prosecution applied for a trial in absentia.
The court granted the request, in line with Article 19(3)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, which allows such proceedings under specific circumstances.
At the end of the trial, the court found Yakubu guilty and sentenced him accordingly.
The prosecution said Yakubu collected GH¢3 million from Madam Darling Tuffour in April 2021 under the pretext of investing in an oil business, promising to repay the amount.
On May 18, 2021, he issued a cheque for GH¢2,100,000 drawn on Stanbic Bank, which was dishonoured due to insufficient funds.
He later issued another cheque for GH¢1,050,000 on September 24, 2021, drawn on First Atlantic Bank, which was also dishonoured.
The complainant, a businesswoman residing at East Legon, reported the matter to the Police after efforts to locate Yakubu failed, as he had vacated his office and his whereabouts were unknown.
Prosecution said Yakubu later reported to the Police after his details were published in the media.
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