Investigations revealed that 32 students had been duped into the scheme and when contacted, it was confirmed that Appiah and Anson had demanded and received payments of between 2,000 and 2,500 cedis, promising them a bed and room.
A senior lecturer and two students of the University of Ghana, Hilla Liman Hall, have been accused of defrauding 35 non-resident students of GH¢106,800 under the pretext of providing them with accommodation.
On June 26, 2024, Joseph Appiah, 25, Stephen Nimako Anson, 24, both final year students, and Dr Kwadwo Owusu-Aye, 58, a senior residential lecturer at the university, were charged with 32 counts of conspiracy and fraud by false pretenses.
The lead prosecutor, Chief Inspector Jonas Lower, disclosed that the complaint was filed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Gordon Awandare.
Mr Appiah and Mr Nimako are also charged with aiding and abetting corruption, specifically corruption as a public official. Dr Aiyeh is also charged with corruption as a public official.
The three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The court presided over by Justice Isaac Addo granted them bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 and sureties each.
Chief Inspector Lower said that on October 17, 2023, the complainant filed a petition at the Accra Regional Police Command requesting an investigation into the alleged act of selling beds at the Dr Hilla Liman Hall of the University of Ghana.
He added that on October 18, 2023, a team of detectives from the Accra Regional Criminal Investigation Department led by a former Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Emmanuel Osei Agboga, visited the University of Ghana and began investigations into the case.
Investigations revealed that 32 students were duped into the scheme and when contacted, it was confirmed that Appiah and Anson had demanded and received payments of between GH¢2,000 and GH¢2,500, promising them beds and rooms.
Mr Appiah and Mr Anson were arrested and during questioning admitted to carrying out accommodation sales transactions with Dr Aye.
The prosecutor also reported that Mr Anson returned GH¢30,000, part of the funds he had illegally received.
