An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a businessman, Alhaji Fareed Amin Yakubu, to 10 years in prison for engaging in fraudulent activities and issuing false cheques.
The 38 year old was convicted on charges of defrauding by false pretences and issuing dishonoured cheques after a full trial. The court, presided over by Justice Bright Samuel Acquah, found him guilty after evidence presented showed he had deceived a businesswoman into handing over a large sum of money under false claims of investment opportunities.
According to court records, Yakubu collected about GH¢3 million from the complainant in April 2021, claiming he would invest the money in an oil business and later return it with profit. However, after receiving the funds, he failed to honour his promise.
In an attempt to repay part of the money, he issued a cheque worth over GH¢2 million, which was later dishonoured due to insufficient funds. A second cheque of more than GH¢1 million was also issued but similarly bounced when presented at the bank.
The situation escalated when the complainant reported the matter to the police after several attempts to retrieve the money proved unsuccessful. Investigations led to Yakubu being charged and put before the court.
Notably, the trial was conducted in his absence after he failed to appear before the court, effectively jumping bail. The law allows such proceedings under specific provisions when an accused person refuses to attend court hearings.
In addition to the 10 year prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of GH¢12,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional prison term.
The ruling highlights the seriousness with which the Ghanaian judicial system treats financial crimes, especially those involving large sums and deliberate deception.
