A 54-year-old entrepreneur has been brought before the Accra Circuit Court on allegations of defrauding a car dealer of four high-end vehicles valued at GHยข1.78 million.
The accused, identified as Nana Ohene Djan Aggrey Bentil, purportedly engaged in fraudulent activities by misrepresenting himself as the importer of the cars and illicitly registering them in the name of their rightful owners without the dealer’s or owners’ consent. These luxurious vehicles included a 2018 Range Rover Sport, a 2020 Toyota Tundra, a Maserati, and another 2018 Range Rover.
Presenting the prosecution’s case, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kofi Anane outlined a series of events dating back to June 13, 2022, where the accused, under the guise of purchasing the vehicles, obtained possession of the cars from the complainant for evaluation. Subsequently, Bentil issued post-dated checks to the complainant, ostensibly for the purchase of the cars, and demanded the original documents to facilitate a valuation process by his bankers.
ASP Anane further detailed how Bentil, through fraudulent means, registered the vehicles in the name of their rightful owners and subsequently forged transfer of ownership letters to acquire possession of the cars. He then proceeded to sell three of the vehicles to a third party, Hannah Agyei, director of Brollen Company Ltd, for sums totaling GHยข500,000. Despite initial success in cashing three of the issued checks, the accused’s actions came to light, resulting in his arraignment before the court.
During the court proceedings, Bentil, who serves as the Director of N. O. B. Djania Company Limited, pleaded not guilty to ten charges, including forgery of official documents, defrauding by false pretense, and issuing false checks.
While the defense counsel argued for bail, citing the accused’s fixed place of abode and commitment to cooperate with investigations, the prosecution opposed bail, expressing concerns over the accused potentially absconding, given his involvement in other ongoing criminal proceedings.
As the legal process unfolds, the court awaits further details from the prosecution regarding the accused’s prior legal entanglements to inform a decision on bail. The case underscores the significance of safeguarding against fraudulent practices in commercial transactions, particularly within the automotive sector.
Source: Ghraphic online
