A 46-year-old businessman who allegedly collected GH¢72,000 from a police officer under the pretext of securing him two auctioned vehicles has appeared in court.

At the Circuit Court, the prosecution said George Adu-Twum, the accused, committed the offence in 2021.

He pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences.

The court, presided over by Isaac Addo, has admitted Adu-Twum to bail in the sum of GH¢75,000 with two sureties.

Adjourning the matter to April 7, 2025, the trial judge ordered the prosecution to comply with the rules of disclosure.

Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori-Appiah, the prosecutor, said the complainant, whose name was withheld, was a police officer residing at Weija SCC, Accra.

The accused, who claimed to be a businessman, resides in Weija Gbawe, Accra.

In 2021, the complainant’s relatives were in need of a Toyota Pickup and Hyundai i30 salon car, and he discussed it with a friend who introduced the accused to him.

The prosecution said the complainant met the accused at Abelemkpe and pointed at a Toyota Hilux and Hyundai i30 as vehicles being auctioned and that payments needed to be made immediately because there were other persons who had expressed interest.

After the bargaining, GH¢,000 was mobilised by Adu-Twum. GH¢40,000 was paid at the office of the accused at Abelemkpe, while GH¢32,000 was handed over to him (the accused) at the complainant’s office at the Ministries.

Adu-Twum promised that the auctioned vehicles would be ready in a week.

The prosecution said Adu-Twum, after collecting the money, went into hiding, but he was arrested on January 15, 2025.

“During investigations, he refunded an amount of GH¢25,000,” the prosecution told the court.