A 62-year-old woman, Nana Ama Nwarueze, also known as Ohemaa, has been arraigned before the Achimota Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a businessman of $80,000 under the guise of selling him four plots of land at East Legon in Accra.
Court documents indicate that Nwarueze presented herself as the legitimate owner of the land and persuaded the complainant, identified as Mr. Agbavor, to pay the amount for the said property.
However, investigations later revealed that her claims of ownership were false.
She has been charged with two counts—fraudulent transaction of land and defrauding by false pretence.
The accused pleaded not guilty to both charges and has been granted bail by the court presided over by Her Honour Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong.
Due to the financial value involved in the case, which exceeds the prosecutorial jurisdiction of the police, the matter has been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for further legal action.
Facing Additional Charges
In addition to the Achimota case, Nwarueze is also standing trial in three separate cases at the Adabraka District Court, presided over by Her Honour Abena Asoh Owusu-Omenyo.
In the first of these, she allegedly posed as a wealthy businesswoman claiming to own high-value assets, including Ohemaa Plaza at East Legon, fishing vessels in Takoradi, and residential property at the Airport Residential Area.
Prosecutors say she used these claims to convince a complainant to part with $13,000. She has been charged with one count of defrauding by false pretence in this instance.
The second case involves allegations that Nwarueze defrauded a pastor of GH¢170,000 under the pretext of helping her clear goods from the Tema Port.
The prosecution revealed that she issued two blank cheques as a form of repayment, but both were dishonoured. Further investigations found that she had also shown the pastor and his employer parcels of land at Villagio, Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout, and Aburi, claiming ownership.
Although the complainants showed interest in the Aburi land, she reportedly failed to produce any documentation to support her claims and subsequently ceased all communication with them.
According to Chief Inspector Achana Apewah, a news report about her arrest prompted the complainants to file formal petitions, leading to her re-arrest and prosecution.
In the third case, she is alleged to have taken GH¢9,000 from a CCTV technician, promising to secure him an American visa. She has been charged with defrauding by false pretence.
At the Adabraka District Court, she was granted bail set at GH¢200,000 with two sureties, one of whom must be justified.
As part of her bail conditions, Nwarueze is required to surrender her passport to the court registry and report to the police twice a week while proceedings continue.