<<Print>>

A former New Patriotic Party(NPP) Parliamentary aspirant for Subin constituency, Villey Acheampong, has vehemently denied defrauding a businessman of GHc 700,000 in the sale of a house to the latter.

Defraud By Pretence

The businessman named Solomon Kwabi, a resident at Teshie in the Greater Accra Region, had expressed interest in buying a six-bedroom house displayed by the accused person, Valley Acheampong, selling at GHc 820,000.

Solomon Kwabi is said to have paid an upfront of GHc 700,000 to Villey Acheampong and, afterward, requested the documents of the house to be made available to him, then he adds the remaining amount to complete his purchase of the house.

But, according to the complainant, Mr. Acheampong failed to hand over the documents, so called for a refund of his money leading to a legal battle with the leaser.

The complainant, Solomon Kwabi, reportedly filed a case with the Accra Circuit Court and Villey Acheampong was arrested and arraigned before the court on a charge of defrauding by pretence.

A publication on radiogoldlive.com dated April 28, 2022 also indicated that Villey Acheampong is currently in Police custody for failing to meet a GHc 700,000 bail conditions.

"In Court on Wednesday, April 27, the prosecutor ASP E. Nyamekye told the Court that, the Accused is still in custody because he has not met his bail conditions . . . counsel for the accused person, Lawyer Simon Animeley wanted a bail variation. But, the court said, he should apply formally to the High Court if he wants bail variation for his client. The case has been adjourned to May 19, 2022, for a case management conference," the publication stated.

Rejoinder

Setting the record straight, Villey Acheampong disclosed that all that has been published about him is an absolute falsehood.

According to him, he wasn't given the opportunity to share his side of the story as his accuser hastily hopped to the media to make claims against him.

In an interview with Peacefmonline.com to feed the general public with the factual details of the issue, Mr. Acheampong stated categorically that he hasn't defrauded any person and that the truth is he indeed offered a house on sale to Mr. Kwabi for the said amount.

He explained that he offered the house for GHc 900,000 but after Solomon Kwabi paid GHc 720,000, he made a request for the house documents stating that the agreed amount is GHc 820,000 instead of the initial price of GHc 900,000.

A misunderstanding broke out between him and the buyer and after back and forth arguments, the latter called for refund of his money of which Mr. Acheampong agreed to pay back the amount.

He admits it was an honest business gone bad but what is shocking to him is media reports purporting he is a fraudster.

Mr. Acheampong stressed he has no intention of defrauding nor keeping the money to himself.

To him, his accuser has resorted to character assassination in attempt to debase his reputation, hence using the media to peddle lies about him.

"We did business. Misunderstanding broke up about the price we bargained and he asked for refund. After 3 years of installment payment", an almost teary Villey Acheampong said and showed Whatsapp chats proving him refunding the money to the complainant, Solomon Kwabi.

In a separate interview on Purefmonline.com, the accused stated; "I'm a real estate developer, sold a proprety to a friend way back in 2019 for which he has been paying in instalments. Suddenly, in 2022, he declined interest in the property and requested his money. I informed him to exercise patience while I sell the property and pay back. Before then, I had paid part of an amount he requested. The next thing I knew the matter was in court. Before the suit, he had early on requested for GHC 20k which I paid. After, I gave him 50000 cedis in court the same day." 

"Why would anyone want to tow this line just to disgrace a fellow?...Where, in this case, do I stand to defraud?", he queried, adding "it's my property and not stolen property and it's not as if I have gone into hiding".

He also emphasized it is untrue that he is in Police custody for failing to meet bail conditions.

"Look at this publication that was made yesterday. Now, they say I have been denied bail and I'm still in Police custody whereas I have been talking with you since last week and even this morning. So, why will these people keep saying all these lies?'', Valley Acheampong wondered as he continued to render his account to Peacefmonline.com.

Mr. Acheampong is therefore calling on the pubic to ignore all publications and rumors of him defrauding someone and asserts he is a genuine person who's unfortunately had a bad transaction like in every normal business deal and is honestly refunding the money to settle this dispute amicably.