Thirty (30)- year old self-styled businessman who duped over 120 people under the pretext of granting them loans has been remanded in police custody by the Agona Swedru Magistrates’ Court.

Matthew Frank Asmah, who claims to be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MAF Construction and Loans Company Limited CEO, plea was not taken and would re-appear in court on March 9, 2015.

Prosecuting, Sergeant Chara Nasir Salia, told the court presided over by Mr Isaac Appiatu, pleaded with the court to remand the accused for one week to enable the prosecution to continue its investigations since more people, who fell victim to the accused, were still lodging complaints against him.

Sergeant Salia told the court that the accused introduced himself to the Assemblies of God Church at Gomoa Aboso, the Life of Salvation Church and the World of Church International, all at Agona Swedru.

He said the accused told the leaders and members of the churches that he was the C.E.O. of  MAF Construction and Loans Company Limited, and that, he had been contracted to build a 1,000 capacity hostel by the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and wanted to recruit artisans and labourers.

He said based on that information, over 120 carpenters, masons, electricians, steel benders, painters and labourers rushed to him for employment.

The Prosecution said the accused managed to collect GH¢40.00 each from them as processing fees amounting to GH¢7, 240.00.

Sergeant Salia said the accused person also went round with an HFC Bank, Ghana Commercial Bank and UNibank forms to convince church members under the pretext of giving them loans.

The Prosecution stated that the accused person also collected GH¢40.00 each from over 110 people as registration to qualify for the loan.

He said the accused after collecting the said amount went into hiding and was arrested on February 9, 2015, at his hide out at Apam in the Gomoa West district upon a tip off.