An Accra Circuit Court has granted bail in the amount of GH¢500,000.00 to businessman David Abu Kantong, who is accused of defrauding a man of USD35,000 under the pretext of leasing a piece of land in Santeo. The court presided over by Mrs. Sussana Eduful, ruled that two sureties must be provided for Kantong, each earning not less than GH¢5,000.00 per month. Kantong, who denied the offence, is scheduled to return to court on April 3, 2024.
Meanwhile, a bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of Alfred Nee Quartey Papafio, Ernestina Kwakor Quartey Papafio, and Joseph Kwate Quartey-Papafio for failing to appear in court. Alfred, facing an abetment charge, along with the others, has been charged with defrauding under false pretences.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Lawrence Kofi Anane, the complainant, Mr. Samuel Kojo Andrews, engaged Kantong's company, M.O.S Property Consultancy Limited, for legal counsel between 2015 and 2016. Kantong subsequently sold two plots of fenced land in Santeo to Andrews for USD35,000, providing an indenture endorsed by Alfred, Ernestina, and Joseph as heads of the Papafio family.
However, upon attempting to develop the land, Andrews was obstructed by Musah Shaibu, who claimed ownership. Despite Kantong's assurance of resolving the issue, Andrews faced rejection when attempting to register the land in his name. Further investigations revealed that the disputed land was part of a larger tract owned by Kantong's brother, Salifu Johnson, and sub-leased to individual developers prior to his death.
Subsequently, Kantong was arrested after Andrews lodged a complaint with the CID. Kantong claimed ownership of the land through M.O.S Property Consultancy Limited but acknowledged granting it to Andrews. Investigations showed that Musah Shaibu had built houses on the disputed land, supported by an official search at the Lands Commission.
The accused persons have been charged accordingly and brought before the court. The case highlights the complexities surrounding land ownership and the legal ramifications of fraudulent land transactions.