Pastor in 34.5 million cedis deal

Accra, Sept. 25, GNA - A 35-year-old Pastor of "Promised Land Ministries," who allegedly defrauded his former church member of 34.5 million cedis under the pretext sending him to America appeared before a circuit court in Accra on Thursday.

William Adeka charged with defrauding by false pretences pleaded not guilty.

The court, presided over by Mr Willywise Kyeremeh has admitted him on a 50 million cedis bail to reappear on October 20.

Police Chief Inspector Kofi Adu told the court that the complainant Mr Dickson Bekoe Addo, was a former member of the accused person's church. Last year, Mr Addo's wife, who was also a member of the church was informed by the accused that he had had a vision that God had opened a way for Mr Addo to travel to America.

Consequently, the prosecution said complainant's wife informed him (Mr Addo) about the vision.

The prosecutor said Mr Addo religiously got stuck to the vision and the accused person demanded 34.5 million cedis from him under the pretext of assisting him.

Adeka, sent the complainant to South Africa and left him stranded. Mr Addo however, met a Ghanaian resident in South Africa who assisted him to return to Ghana.

Prosecution said when the complainant returned to Ghana and his wife rang the accused asking him about her husband's welfare, the accused informed her that her husband was working in the US.

Mr Addo's wife then rang the accused and told him she had another person who also wanted to travel abroad.

Prosecution said accused rushed to the complainant's house and he was arrested.

He has since refunded four million cedis.