An Accra Circuit Court on Monday remanded into Police custody Joseph Dzifa Avemega a.k.a. Reverend Minister who is being held on a fraud related case after absconding for a year.
Avemega, who claimed to be a Minister with the Apostle Revelation Society, was declined bail when he was finally produced by one of his sureties today. Mr Roland Arkaefi, the surety, told the court that he had suffered before producing Avemega who had jumped bail.
According to Mr Arkaefi he would no longer stand as surety for the accused person hence prayed the court to discharge him. The court presided over by Mr Francis Obiri discharged Arkaefi, saying he had been discharged of his legal obligation.
However Avemega was remanded to reappear on August 11. Avemega’s counsel, Mr Augustine Gyamfi, had told the court that his client was taken ill and given four weeks excuse duty.
According to Mr Gyamfi, his client soon after he was discharged, travelled to the village to seek further treatment, adding that, unfortunately, Avemega got bed ridden for six months. Defence counsel said the suspect reported himself Mr Arkaefi when he heard that he was looking for him (suspect).
When counsel was quizzed as to why his client could not inform the court during those period, he (defence counsel) said Avemega made efforts to reach the court but that did not yield any results.
Avemega, who is being held for allegedly forging some official documents and signatures, had pleaded not guilty. The court however admitted him to bail but he jumped bail and a bench warrant was issued to affect his arrest.
