Pastor jailed for posing as police officer

Breman Asikuma (C/R), Nov. 2, GNA - A Pastor of the Twelve Apostles Church, Agona Swedru branch, Kwasi Attah-Messah, has been jailed for 12 months in hard labour by the Breman Asikuma Magistrate Court for posing as a police officer to collect debts.

He also used calculator as a deceptive mobile phone as well as fake police identity card (ID).

Attah-Messah, who hails from Awutu Bereku pleaded guilty to a charge of pretending to be a public officer.

Prosecuting Police Inspector David Nkromah Danso of Breman Asikuma told the court, presided over by Mr. Akwasi Asmah Asiedu that Attah-Messah having learnt that one Kwadwo Badu, akpeteshie distiller based at Breman Asikuma Zongo Community was indebted to one Joe Mensah at Agona Swedru in the sum of 700,000 cedis, travelled to Breman Asikuma to introduce himself as a police officer detailed to collect the debt.

On September 15, Attah-Messah came again to demand half payment of the debt being 350,000 cedis and threatened to use the deceptive mobile phone to cause the arrest of Kwadwo Badu.

Following a tip-off, the Breman Asikuma Police arrived at the scene and Attah-Messah was arrested. When searched the fake ID card bearing the name of one F.K. Ocloo of Valco Company Tema, which had been reported missing for about two years was found on him.

The magistrate warned the public that the Police Administration does not collect debts and that the people must be wary of such tricksters.