Agya Koo cleared of charges

Kofi Adu aka Agya Koo, an ace actor and comedian, who was hauled before an Accra Circuit Court over alleged fraud charges, was on Thursday discharged.

This was after the comedian had paid the balance of monies he received from Mr Stephen Kwarteng to secure visa and traveling documents for (Kwarteng).

Kwarteng received the balance in open court, and soon after, he told the court that he was no more interested in pursuing the matter.

The court, struck out the case for want of prosecution, and cautioned Agya Koo to stay out of trouble or other activities that may bring him before the court.

Agya Koo had pleaded not guilty to charges of attempt to commit crime, to wit migrant smuggling and fraud and was admitted to GHc 20,000.00 bail.

At the last sitting on January 22, this year, Agya Koo made a part payment of GHc 2,000 to Kwarteng, the complainant.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mary Agbozo said the complainant, a trader residing in Accra, wanted to visit his sister in United States of America whiles Agya Koo resides in Kumasi.

DSP Agbozo said in March 2011, Kwarteng discussed the matter with a friend who led him to Agya Koo, who was lodging at Alhaji Tabora, a suburb in Accra, and introduced Agya Koo as someone who could help him to travel.

The prosecution said Agya Koo agreed to assist Kwarteng, and charged him 10,000 dollars, covering visa, work permit and a returned air ticket.

DSP Agbozo said Agya Koo asked the complainant to make advance payment of 850 dollars for processing fee and also 1,000 dollars as part payment for fees that would be charged.

The court heard that Agya Koo received the various sums of money from the complainant in Kumasi.

DSP Agbozo said after collecting the money; Agya Koo sent the complaints and 10 others to the United States Embassy in Accra for the visa process to begin.

Prosecution said while the complainant and 10 others were waiting, Agya Koo asked them to meet him at Busy Internet, near Kwame Nkrumah Circle. 

At Busy Internet, Agya Koo told them that he was unable to procure the visa and asked them to be patient.

DSP Agbozo said Agya Koo since 2011 has been giving excuses for his inability to procure the visas, so Kwarteng suggested to him to procure Australian Visa, and Agya Koo collected additional GHc 1,150 but he failed to honour his promise.

Kwarteng demanded his money, but Agya Koo offered excuses, compelling Kwarteng to lodge a complainant with the Anti Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on January 8, 2013, where he was invited several times on his phone but failed to turn up.

The Police obtained an arrest warrant from court on January 18, this year, and Agya Koo reported at CID Headquarters where he was detained and arraigned before court.