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Professional Ghanaian boxer, Michael Ayittey Okine, alias Ayittey
Powers who is standing trial before an Accra Circuit Court for
allegedly taking an amount of GH₵l4,000 from two Kumasi residents
under the pretext of securing them visas, yesterday failed to appear
at his trial.
His counsel, Jerry Shaibu, informed the court presided over by Aboagye
Tandoh that his client was indisposed; hence his inability to appear
in court.
The case was subsequently adjourned to December 11,2014.
The suspect was put before the court, then presided over by Audrey
Kocuvie-Tay, and charged with defrauding by false pretence.
He had pleaded not guilty and was granted a GH₵50,000 bail with two sureties.
Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecuting officer, Chief
Inspector Isaac Agbemehia, said the complainants are Nana Oppong Yaw
of Asuoyeboah, a suburb of Kumasi, and Kofi Asante of Abrepoh
Junction, also in Kumasi.
According to him, in November 2013, the suspect took advantage of his
boxing profession to acquire visas for some Ghanaians to travel to
Australia as part of his boxing team.
He said some Ghanaians resident in Australia, who heard of the deal,
went and saw the boxer and told him they wanted some family members to
join them, to which he agreed and promised to assist by acquiring
visas for them.
The prosecutor stated that as a result of that Nana Oppong paid
GH₵6,500 to the suspect while Asante paid him GH₵7,500.
Ayittey then took their passports in order to acquire visas for them.
Prosecution stated that even though the complainants were not boxers,
the suspect acquired boxers' identification cards for them from the
boxing authority.
He then forwarded these to the Australian High Commission and showed
evidence to the complainants on February 12, 2014.
Explaining further, the prosecutor said the complainants were not
satisfied with the outcome of their visa application and asked the
boxer for a refund but he failed to do so.
He observed that the victims reported the matter to the police and the
boxer was arrested and arraigned before court afterwards.
Daily Guide
