Pastor drags church elder to court

A church elder and four others have been dragged before an Accra Magistrate’s court over a disputed piece of land.

Charles Tetteh Akakpo together with Abass Mohammed, Augustina Amartey, John Gyegre and Agbesi Hodzi pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit crime and stealing when they appeared before the court.

A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Adjoa Ye, while Akakpo, Mohammed, Augustina, Gyegre and Hodzi were granted bail in the sum of  GH¢15,000 each.

The court also asked them to present two sureties each.  

The facts of the case as presented by Chief Inspector Gregory Yeboah to the court, presided over by Mr James Kojo Bota, were that; Charles Koomson is a resident Pastor at Ablekuma-Agape Branch of the Assemblies of God. 

He said in December 2015, Koomson wanted a piece of land to put up a building, so he told Akakpo who promised to get him a plot of land at Agape near Anyaa.

Mr Yeboah said Akakpo demanded and took GH¢37,000 as the cost of the land and led Koomson to a land at Agape which he claimed to be the owner.

When Koomson later went to work on the land, he was informed that it belonged to one Odartey.

Koomson proceeded to see Odartey who confirmed ownership of the land but said he was no longer interested in selling the land since he hadn’t received full payment 

According to prosecution, Odartey refunded Koomson’s money to him, but the others were not able to do same. When Koomson asked for a refund of his money from Akakpo, he refused.

C/Inspector Yeboah said Koomson therefore lodged a complaint with the police.

It was discovered that Akakpo collected an initial amount of GH¢37,000, gave GH¢22,000 to Odartey and shared GH¢15,000 amongst Mohammed, Augustina, Gyegre, Hodzi and Ajoa.