Man, 47, arrested for fraud

Page 14: May 21, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A 47-YEAR-OLD educational consultant has been arrested for defrauding someone on the pretext of sending him abroad.
Robert Okine, who is the Executive Director of International Education and Development Services, collected GH¢1,750 from his victim, Mr Bright Kakah, in 2004 as the fee for including him (victim) on an exchange programme.
The Deputy Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Ken Yeboah, told the Daily Graphic that after collecting the money, Okine closed down his office at Madina and allegedly went into hiding.
He said efforts to contact Okine on a number he gave to the victim was also uneventful as it was always switched off.
He said the suspect was spotted at Madina Firestone last Saturday where he had allegedly conducted a seminar for head teachers and other school authorities.
ACP Yeboah said the suspect allegedly admitted taking the money from the victim.
The suspect broke down in tears as soon as he was informed that he was to be published in the newspapers.
Okine pleaded with the CID officials to give him by the close of day to refund the money.
According to him, he had been awarded a contract by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and his appearance in the newspaper could lead to the abrogation of the contract.
ACP Yeboah said the conduct of some companies and non-governmental organisations were embarrassing as they often collected money from innocent people on the pretext of sending them abroad.
He explained that after collecting the money, they often abandoned their victims.