[2012]DLCA8143 • October 25, 2012 • Court of Appeal
THE REPUBLIC vs. FRANCIS IKE UYANWUNE
The appellant, a Nigerian national, falsely represented himself as a United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) special envoy to Africa and Asia, claiming to distribute interest-free loans. He collected commitment fees totaling GH¢20,000 from individuals and organizations including the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU). The police investigation revealed he was not affiliated with UNCDF, leading to his prosecution for fraud by false pretence.
read moreDENNIS ADJEI, J.A.: On 13th March, 2006, the High Court, Sekondi convicted the accused person/Appellant (who would be referred to in this judgement as the Appellant) and sentenced him to 25 years IHL with effect from the date of his arrest, that is 25th July, 2005. The trial High Court Judge made consequential orders including a restitution order and deportation order after having served the prison sentence. The brief facts of the case were that the Appellant herein, a Nigerian, went to Sekondi- Takoradi and carried himself to people he came into contact with as an official of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and was its special envoy to Africa and Asia. The appellant claimed to have brought one million dollars to Sekondi-Takoradi to give to beneficiaries as interest free loans. The Appellant embossed the logo of the United Nations on his Toyota double Carbin pick up. The appellant made beneficiaries of the said loans to pay ten percent of the loans to be granted...