Jeremiah Darlington Quainoo, a 43-year-old petroleum products broker who was arrested after being declared wanted by the Ghana Police Service Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations of defrauding a petroleum company by false pretence has been granted bail.
Police said Mr Quainoo has since been processed before the court, while the case docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General for advice.
Investigators say the suspect has paid part of the money he allegedly owes and has undertaken to settle the outstanding balance.
Background
According to police, Mr Quainoo was declared wanted following investigations into allegations that he fraudulently obtained petroleum products from a leading petroleum company but failed to pay for them.
The Police said he ignored two formal invitations to assist with investigations and subsequently went into hiding, prompting the issuance of a warrant by the District Court at Kotobabi. The warrant identified him as a suspect in a case of alleged defrauding by false pretence.
The case was initially handled by investigators under the supervision of Chief Superintendent Seth Sewornu.
Police investigations also revealed that another suspect, identified only as Mr Nii, was arrested in connection with the matter. Following that arrest, investigators said Mr Quainoo issued a cheque for GH¢650,000, after which the accomplice was granted bail.
However, the cheque was later dishonoured when it was presented for payment. Police say this brought the total number of dishonoured cheques allegedly issued by Mr Quainoo in connection with the case to five.
Investigators further allege that the total outstanding amount involved in the matter is GH¢2,150,000.
According to police documents, the suspect’s repeated failure to honour payment obligations and respond to law enforcement invitations formed part of the basis for the investigation and subsequent arrest.
The Attorney General is expected to determine the next stage of the prosecution after reviewing the case docket.
