The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Twifo Atti Morkwa in the Central Region, David T. Vondee, has been dragged to court for allegedly defrauding a businessman of $2.4 million in a land deal.
State prosecutors have accused the MP of using his construction firm to defraud a businessman on the pretext of providing him with 20 acres of land at Frafraha in the Adentan Municipality when in fact the construction firm had no title to the said land.
In his appearance before the Accra High Court yesterday, the legislator pleaded not guilty to two counts of defrauding by false pretence and money laundering.
Prosecutors have charged Vondee with defrauding by false pretence contrary to Section 13(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) for allegedly making a false representation that his construction company had title to the land.
With regard to the offence of money laundering contrary to Section 1 (2) (c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044), prosecutors have accused the MP of taking possession of the $2.4 million when he (Vondee) knew it was proceeds of crime.
Vondee is the Chief Executive Officer and owner of construction firm, Klenam Construction Limited, while the complainant, Kofi Ansah Mensah, is the Director of Africa REI Ghana Limited.
GHS2 million bail
Following an application by his lawyer, Mr Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, the court admitted the MP to bail in the sum of GH¢2 million with two sureties, both to be justified.
Counsel prayed the court to admit his client to bail on the basis that he was not a flight risk, and would always appear before the court to defend himself.
“Aside from being an MP, he had fully cooperated with the police. For all intent and purposes, he has conducted himself in a manner that clearly shows that he will not jump bail,” Mr Tameklo submitted.
After granting the accused person bail, the presiding judge, Justice Mary Maame Ekue Nsenkyire, directed the prosecution to file its disclosures within two weeks.
Hearing continues on June 30 this year for case management.
Land fraud case
Presenting the facts, the prosecutor, Ms Vivian Osei Tutu, a Senior State Attorney, said in August 2015, the complainant, on behalf of his company, entered into an agreement with Klenam Construction Limited, represented by Vondee, for the purchase of a 20-acre plot at Frafraha valued at $2.4 million.
“This was after the accused person at all material times made representation to officials of Africa REI Ghana Limited that his company owned the 20 acres of land, free and clear of any encumbrances and that the company had title to sell the land,” the prosecutor said.
Ms Osei Tutu said it was based on the said representation that Africa REI Ghana Limited paid $2.4 million to Vondee between August 2015 and July 2016.
“Investigations, however, revealed that these representations were false, and that Klenam Construction Limited had no title to the said land,” the prosecutor said.
Purchase from grantors
The prosecutor explained that further investigations revealed that in May 2015, Vondee and his company sought to purchase 80 acres of land for GH¢ 9.6 miilion, but he failed to fully fulfil his financial obligations for the said purchase.
“Knowing that his company had not completed their financial obligations towards the grantors and, therefore, had no title to any portion of the land, the accused proceeded to prepare an indenture covering 20 acres of land for Africa REI Ghana Limited,” the prosecutor said.
Ms Osei Tutu also said Vondee presented a land title certificate to Africa REI Ghana Limited as proof of Klenam Construction Limited ownership of the land, “even though there had been no valid registration of the land”.
The prosecutor said in 2016, Africa REI Ghana Limited lodged a complaint of fraud against Vondee, and he sought to settle the case by granting the complainant 10 acres of land.
“An official search at the Lands Commission, however, revealed that the 10 acres of land did not belong to the accused or his company,” the prosecutor added.
