Four Micro finance operators were admitted to bail by an Accra Circuit Court on Thursday.
The operators are Monica Afriyie and Noel Nortey, both directors of God is Love Fun Club, Charles Asum, a director of Jastar Motors, and Martin K. Delle, a director of DKM Diamond Micro Finance.
Monica and Noel, both directors of God is Love Fun Club, were admitted to bail in the sum of GHC 50 million each with five sureties, two to be justified. The two are to make security deposit of GHC 5 million each.
Charles Asum, a director of Jastar Motors, was admitted to bail in the sum of GHC20 million with three sureties, one to be justified. Asum is to pay GHC2 million as security deposit in court.
In the case of Martin K Delle, a director of DKM Diamond Micro Finance, he was admitted to bail in the sum of GHC 80 million with four sureties, two to be justified.
The court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh ordered Delle to make a security deposit of GHC6 million.
All the accused persons are to report to the Bureau of National Investigations until directed otherwise. The matter has been adjourned to February 1.
Counsels for the accused persons had argued for bail saying the matter was a civil one but had turned into a criminal matter.
According to counsels for the accused persons, their clients had suffered incarceration and had their names and pictures in a number of daily newspapers in the country.
They contended that their clients had fixed places of abode, they would not abscond if granted bail, and they will not interfere with investigations.
The four operators have pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy and fraudulent breach of trust.
Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abraham A. Annor said all the suspects were operating micro finance companies.
DSP Annor said all the suspects informed various clients that when they deposited money at their respective companies, they would give them 50 per cent interest at the end of three months.
Prosecution said based on that information, complainants in the case made various deposits and three months later when they went for their monies, they found their respective offices locked and their whereabouts were unknown.
DSP Annor said a report was made to the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the accused persons were arrested.
Investigations according to DSP Annor revealed that Monica and Nortey had taken deposits to the tune of GHC 100 million, while Asum had also taken GHC20 million, and Delle had also collected GHC80 million as deposits.
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