Businessman charged over alleged forgery and fraudulent claims

A 42-year-old businessman, Charles Otoo, has been arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly forging pharmaceutical and car rental receipts to claim refunds from a man who shot him during a land dispute at Spintex.

Otoo faces 12 charges, including possession of forged documents, uttering forged documents, attempting to commit a crime, tax evasion, and issuing false tax invoices. He pleaded not guilty to all charges before the court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, and was granted bail of GH¢50,000 with three sureties.

Background of the Case

According to the prosecution, led by ASP Benjamin Baafi Esq., Otoo had a dispute with the complainant, Kevin Saoud, over land in December 2021.

The confrontation escalated into a fight, during which Saoud’s father allegedly shot Otoo. Following the incident, Saoud agreed to cover Otoo’s medical expenses.

Otoo later submitted receipts from various pharmacies, drug stores and car rental services for reimbursement.

However, Saoud suspected the receipts were forged and reported the matter to the Baatsonaa Divisional CID for investigation.

Checks at the Registrar General’s Department revealed that some of the companies listed on the receipts did not exist.

Further investigations led to Otoo’s arrest. In his caution statement, he admitted presenting the receipts, but claimed that a friend, Samuel Ahenkorah, provided them while he was bedridden. He also admitted personally obtaining VAT invoices from Folks Auto Hub, a car rental company managed by his associate, Isaac Nartey.

The prosecution stated that Otoo forged receipts from Brobbson Pharmacy Limited, Adenta Pharmacy, Ernest Chemists, Joepharma Limited and Samoff Pharmaceutical.

Additionally, he allegedly issued false VAT invoices from Folks Auto Hub.

Investigators discovered that while Otoo had only rented a Toyota Corolla from Nartey, he was issued multiple VAT invoices covering the rental of other vehicles, including a Ford Focus and a Hyundai Elantra.

Nartey was also arrested and claimed he issued the invoices because Otoo owed him money for car rentals.

When asked to produce copies of the invoices, Nartey failed to do so. The case has been adjourned to March 19, 2025, for further proceedings as the court continues investigations.

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