An Accra Circuit Court has lifted the bench warrant it previously issued for the arrest of Prince Tagoe, a former Ghanaian Black Stars player, who is facing an alleged auto fraud case.
On August 30, 2023, Prince Tagoe did not appear in court, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.
However, on Wednesday, September 6, Prince Tagoe, accompanied by his lawyer, Kwesi Kwakye, appeared before the court and made a payment of GH¢71,000 in connection with the case.
Kwakye informed the court that he had been informed about the bench warrant issued for his client’s arrest and requested that the court withdraw the warrant.
“Bench warrant issued for the arrest of the accused person is to be revoked and GH¢71,000 paid by the accused person be given to the complainant,” Bright Samuel Acquah said.
The case has been adjourned until September 27.
Prince Tagoe is facing charges of defrauding Black Stars Assistant Coach George Boateng of $40,000. He is accused of taking the money under the pretence of importing a Lexus sports utility vehicle for the Assistant Coach.
Tagoe has denied the offense but has made payments of GH¢20,000, GH¢70,000, and GH¢71,000, respectively.
The court has granted him bail in the amount of GH¢100,000 with three sureties, one of whom must be a civil servant. Additionally, one of the sureties may provide a land property as collateral.
George Antwi Boateng, a former player, is the complainant in the case.
According to Detective Chief Inspector Agartha Abena Asantewaa, the prosecutor, George Antwi Boateng, who resides in Germany, and Prince Tagoe, who was once under Boateng’s management in Germany, met in Ghana in 2020. Boateng informed Tagoe of his need to purchase a vehicle.
Tagoe agreed to import a vehicle for Boateng at a cost of $40,000, equivalent to GH¢265,200. On January 8, 2021, $40,000 was deposited into Tagoe’s bank account, and he acknowledged receipt with a phone call to Boateng.
Tagoe promised to deliver the vehicle to Boateng on March 30, 2021, but failed to do so. He requested an additional two weeks, which Boateng agreed to.
However, Tagoe was unable to import the vehicle as promised. Boateng traveled to Ghana on April 27, 2021, to collect the vehicle, but was unsuccessful.
When Boateng inquired about the vehicle, Tagoe allegedly stated that he could not import it because he had used the money for more urgent matters.