An Accra court has sentenced Francis Figah Agbey, a 39-year-old mason, to four years' hard labour for defrauding a businesswoman, Madam Tina Asamoah, of GH¢44,800. Agbey had promised to supply seven tonnes of iron rods for a building project at Adjen-Kotoku, but he took the payment and disappeared without delivering the materials. The Accra Circuit Court convicted him of the offence and ordered him to serve 48 months in prison.
According to the prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Beatrice Achiaa Appiah, Madam Asamoah was undertaking a building project at Adjen-Kotoku, where Agbey worked as a mason. When she needed seven tonnes of iron rods for the project, she turned to him for help, and he assured her he would source the materials through his steel supplier. On 6 May 2025, she handed over GH¢44,800 to him for the purchase.
Instead of delivering the rods, Agbey vanished, prompting Madam Asamoah to report the matter to the police. Investigations eventually led officers to arrest him at a hideout. Agbey was initially charged in November 2025 and pleaded not guilty to the offence. When he reappeared before the court on 22 September 2026, he changed his plea to guilty, telling the court that he had not understood the distinction between the plea options when the charge was first read to him.
The court, presided over by Ms Susanna Nyakotey, had the charge reread and explained to him, after which he maintained his guilty plea while offering an explanation for his conduct. Agbey said that shortly after receiving the money, Madam Asamoah told him she had suffered a bereavement, and that after her funeral, he tried to buy the iron rods but was told by his supplier that he could not store the materials on their premises.
Unable to find secure storage, Agbey said he kept the money instead. He further told the court that a friend borrowed GH¢34,800 from that sum to buy "a certain bottle". The court ruled that his explanation did not amount to a valid defence and proceeded to convict him. The prosecution presented evidence that showed Agbey's actions were those of a fraudulent individual who had no intention of supplying the iron rods.
The case highlights the need for individuals and businesses to be cautious when engaging in transactions with others, especially when it comes to large sums of money. The sentence handed down to Agbey serves as a deterrent to others who may be considering engaging in similar fraudulent activities.
Key points
- The Accra Circuit Court sentenced Francis Figah Agbey to 48 months' imprisonment with hard labour.
- Agbey collected GH¢44,800 from Madam Tina Asamoah under the pretext that he would supply seven tonnes of iron rods for a construction project.
- Agbey's guilty plea was accepted by the court after he changed his initial not guilty plea.
