A 31-year-old man, Francis Akwesi, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Nkwanta South Magistrate Court after being found guilty of fraud and impersonation.
Akwesi, who pleaded guilty to charges of impersonation and defrauding a local farmer, Godfred Yindan, of GHC15,000, had falsely claimed he could secure Yindan a job in the Ghana Armed Forces.
Seidu Kumi, an officer from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), told the court that Akwesi had been posing as a military officer, using a fake identity to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.
The prosecution revealed that Akwesi had promised Yindan that he could facilitate his enlistment into the Armed Forces for a fee. His frequent visits to the community dressed in military attire raised suspicions, eventually leading to an investigation and his arrest by the Nkwanta Police.
Presiding Judge Wellington Arhin sentenced Akwesi to 15 months in prison and also ordered him to refund the GHC15,000 to the victim.
The court’s decision serves as a stern warning against impersonation and fraud, emphasizing the need for vigilance when dealing with individuals making suspicious promises.
