Pentecost Church elder was arrested over GH¢200,000 fraud case, not kidnapped – Police

The Central North Regional Police Command has dismissed reports that a phone dealer and elder of the Pentecost Church, Albert Ogoe, was kidnapped at Nyankumase Ahenkuro in the Assin South District of the Central Region.

Reports had suggested that Mr Ogoe was abducted on October 4, 2026, with his alleged kidnappers demanding GH¢200,000 in ransom for his release.

The Police, however, say the reports are false, explaining that Mr Ogoe was arrested by personnel from the Police Intelligence Unit at the National Police Headquarters over an alleged GH¢200,000 fraud case.

Central North Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu, said the suspect was arrested at a hideout and subsequently taken to Accra to assist with investigations.

He explained that at the time of his arrest, the police team asked Mr Ogoe to contact his family and inform them about his arrest and the reason for it.

According to the police, Mr Ogoe was initially reluctant to speak to his family because, as a church elder, he was concerned that his alleged involvement in the case could become public.

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

Chief Superintendent Agyemang Badu said the family later reported at another police station that Mr Ogoe had been kidnapped by unknown persons.

The report subsequently led to the circulation of claims that the phone dealer had been abducted and that his alleged kidnappers were demanding GH¢200,000 for his release.

The Central North Regional Police Command has since urged the public to disregard the kidnapping reports, stressing that Mr Ogoe was arrested in connection with an alleged fraud investigation.

The Command has also called for calm and assured residents of its commitment to maintaining peace and security in the area.