Pastor fined five million cedis for visa fraud

Cape Coast (Central Region) - Joseph Affum, a Pastor at New-Ebu near Abura-Dunkwa in the Central Region was on Thursday fined five million cedis by a Cape Coast Circuit Court for fraud and stealing.

Affum, who pleaded not guilty to fraud and stealing, was ordered by the court to refund ?17.5m to the complainant, Benjamin Kodwo Turkson, a farmer at Mankessim or in default two years in jail.

Chief Inspector Augustine Amonoo told the Court that Turkson was introduced to Affum, who had a Healing Camp, sometime in February 2001, as a Pastor who could assist him to secure a visa to the United States.

He said after negotiating the Pastor agreed that Turkson should make a down payment of $3,000 to enable him secure a visa for him and ?10.5m, amounting to $1,500, which were honoured.

After receiving the money, Affum collected Turkson's passport and took him to the Shangri-La hotel in Accra to meet some people whom he claimed could assist him with the visa.

Convinced, Turkson parted with an additional amount seven million cedis and was asked by Affum to collect the visa at the Prayer camp within four weeks but the Pastor could neither honour his promise nor refund the amount totalling 17.5 million cedis and his passport.

A report was made to the police and Affum was arrested and put before the court, Chief Inspector Amonoo added.