A middle- aged Senior High School female tutor was on Monday arraigned at a Cape Coast Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding 64 students of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to the tune of GHC58, 250.00.
The accused, Justina Atumbo, collected the amounts ranging from GHc1,000.00 to GHC2, 000.00 from the students under the pretext of completing a 12- bedroom hostel at Amamoma, a suburb near the University for them on rental basis. But she failed to do so.
The Aggrey Memorial A.M.E Zion Senior High School tutor, pleaded not guilty to 64 counts of defrauding by false pretences and was granted a GHC 100,000.00 bail with two sureties to re-appear before the court on Monday, October 26.
Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Charles Anku, told the court, presided over by Ms. Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, that between May and June this year, Atumbo collected a total of GHC74, 750.00 from 78 students of the University to complete a twelve –bedroom hostel for them.
she promised the students that the hostel would be ready by first week in August to coincide with the re-opening date of the University. However, the students reported to the supposed hostel with their luggage only to realise Atumbo could not honour her promise.
The students who had travelled from across the country, and beyond became stranded, according to Chief Inspector Anku.
He said Atumbo was able to provide accommodation for only twelve students on the ground floor of the uncompleted structure and charged them GHC12, 000.00 for rent and later refunded GHC4, 500.00 to others.
She could not refund the outstanding balance of GHC 58,250.00 belonging to the 64 students who out of frustration lodged a complaint at the UCC Police Station.
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