Evangelist weeps in court for fear of being remanded

Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - An Evangelist, Sampson Ocloo Tetteh on Tuesday wept in the dock when an Accra Circuit Court judge ordered him to pay a debt of 23 million cedis he owed or be remanded in police custody.

The judge, Mr Emmanuel Ankamah who noted that Tetteh used fraudulent means to collect 3,000 pounds sterling from the complainant under the pretext of securing a UK visa for her son, asked, "Do you work at the British Embassy?"

Mr Ankamah further noted that since 2001, the accused had taken the court for granted without making serious efforts to refund the balance of 23 million cedis. "The court has been too lenient with you," the judge said.

After cleaning his face, he pulled a cheque for two million cedis from his pocket, as part-payment, but the court did not accept it and requested him to go and return with the rest on Wednesday. A woman, who raised her hand in the court room, identified herself as a church member and told the court that she was prepared to offer two million cedis to defray part the Evangelist's debt.

Tetteh had pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences and had been admitted to a 40-million cedis bail with one surety. Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Eric Amoako said on January 28, 2001, Tetteh, who is also a protocol officer of a prayer camp at Mamfe in the Akwapim North District, called on the complainant at her residence in Accra and demanded 3,000 Pounds Sterling under the pretext of securing a British visa for her son.

After collecting the money Tetteh failed to honour his promise and when the complainant contacted him for a refund, he could not do so. She therefore made a report to the police who arrested him. He said since 2001, the refund the Evangelist had not been encouraging and he was left with 23 million cedis to pay. 4 Oct. 05