An Accra Circuit Court has granted bail to 42-year-old businessman Charles Otoo, who is facing multiple charges, including forgery and tax evasion.
Presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah, the court set bail at GH¢50,000 with three sureties. Otoo is accused of falsifying pharmaceutical and car rental receipts in an attempt to claim refunds from the man who allegedly shot him during a land dispute at Spintex.
He faces 12 charges, including possession and uttering of forged documents, attempting to commit a crime, tax evasion, and issuing false tax invoices.
Otoo has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case is set to continue as investigations proceed.
Brief fact
According to the prosecution, led by ASP Benjamin Baafi Esq., Otoo was involved in a land dispute with the complainant, Kevin Saoud, in December 2021. The disagreement escalated into a violent confrontation, during which Saoud’s father allegedly shot Otoo. Following the incident, Saoud agreed to cover Otoo’s medical expenses.
Otoo later submitted receipts from various pharmacies, drug stores, and car rental services for reimbursement.
However, Saoud suspected that some of the receipts were forged and reported the matter to the Baatsonaa Divisional CID, prompting an investigation.
Checks at the Registrar General’s Department revealed that some of the companies listed on the receipts did not exist. Further investigations led to Otoo’s arrest.
In his caution statement, Otoo admitted to presenting the receipts but claimed that a friend, Samuel Ahenkorah, provided them while he was bedridden.
He also admitted personally obtaining VAT invoices from Folks Auto Hub, a car rental company managed by his associate, Isaac Nartey.
The prosecution alleged that Otoo forged receipts from multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Brobbson Pharmacy Limited, Adenta Pharmacy, Ernest Chemists, Joepharma Limited, and Samoff Pharmaceutical.
He was also accused of issuing false VAT invoices from Folks Auto Hub.
Investigators uncovered inconsistencies in the car rental claims. While Otoo had only rented a Toyota Corolla from Nartey, he was issued multiple VAT invoices covering the rental of other vehicles, including a Ford Focus and a Hyundai Elantra.
Nartey was also arrested and admitted to issuing the invoices but claimed he did so because Otoo owed him money for previous car rentals. When investigators requested copies of the invoices, Nartey was unable to provide them.
The case has been adjourned to March 19, 2025, as investigations continue.
