Pentecost elder reported missing was arrested over GH¢200,000 fraud – Police

Elder Albert Ogoe, a phone dealer and elder of the Pentecost Church who was reported missing under circumstances initially described as a kidnapping, was arrested by the police in connection with an alleged GH¢200,000 fraud case, according to the Central North Regional Police Command.

Ogoe was reportedly said to have been kidnapped by unknown persons at Nyankumase Ahenkuro in the Assin South District of the Central Region on October 4, 2026, with his alleged abductors demanding GH¢200,000 as ransom for his release, according to a news report by citinewsroom.com on October 8, 2026.

However, the Central North Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu, has dismissed the kidnapping reports, explaining that Ogoe was arrested by personnel from the Police Intelligence Unit at the National Police Headquarters to assist with investigations into the alleged fraud.

According to him, the arrest was carried out at Ogoe’s hideout, after which he was taken to Accra for further investigations.

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Chief Superintendent Agyemang Badu said that during the operation, the police team asked Ogoe to contact his family and inform them about his arrest and the reasons behind it.

He explained that Ogoe was initially reluctant to contact his relatives because of concerns that news of his alleged involvement in the fraud case could become public, particularly given his position as a church elder.

The police subsequently used his phone to contact his wife and informed her that he had been arrested in connection with the alleged fraud.

However, the family later reported to another police station that Ogoe had been kidnapped by unknown individuals, leading to reports of his alleged abduction.

The Central North Regional Police Command has since clarified the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, urging the public to disregard the kidnapping claims.

The Command has also appealed for calm among residents, assuring them of its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the area.

The alleged GH¢200,000 fraud case remains under investigation, according to the police account.

AM

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