62-year-old businesswoman in court for alleged fraud

A 62-year-old businesswoman known as Nana Ama Nwarueze, popularly called Ohemaa, has been dragged before the Achimota Circuit Court over claims that she defrauded a businessman of $80,000. According to a report by Graphic Online, she allegedly collected the money under the pretense of selling four plots of land located at East Legon.

Court documents reveal that Nwarueze presented herself as the legitimate owner of the land and managed to convince the complainant, Roger Agbavor, to pay the amount.

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Ahiale, has charged her with two offences — one count of fraudulent land transaction and another count of defrauding by false pretence.

Nwarueze has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Presiding judge Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong granted her bail but referred the case to the Attorney-General’s Department. The court explained that the amount involved exceeds what the police are allowed to prosecute.

But this isn’t her only legal trouble. Nwarueze is also facing three other fraud cases at the Adabraka District Court, which is being presided over by Abena Asoh Owusu-Omenyo.

In the first of these cases, she allegedly posed as a rich businesswoman and claimed ownership of expensive properties, including the Ohemaa Plaza at East Legon, multiple fishing vessels in Takoradi, and a house in the Airport Residential Area. Based on these claims, she reportedly convinced another person to give her $13,000. She’s facing one count of defrauding by false pretence in that case.

In another case, prosecutors say she took GH¢170,000 from a pastor after telling him she needed the money to clear goods from the Tema Port. She later issued two cheques to refund the money, but both bounced. She has been charged with two counts of defrauding by false pretence in connection with that incident.

In the third case, a CCTV technician claims that Nwarueze took GH¢9,000 from him, promising to help him secure a U.S. visa. That matter is also currently before the court.

At the Adabraka District Court, she has been granted bail set at GH¢200,000. The court also required two sureties, with one of them to be justified.