The pastor is accused of allegedly defrauding a businessman of GH₵310,000
Cris Karl Ofori, a pastor, was arraigned before the Dansoman Circuit Court on Friday for allegedly defrauding a businessman of GH¢310,000.
Ofori is accused of collecting the amount from the complainant under the pretext of assisting him in securing visas for himself and his family.
Charged with defrauding by false pretenses, Ofori pleaded not guilty.
The court granted Ofori bail in the sum of GH¢350,000 with three sureties. Two of the sureties must be public servants earning not less than GH¢5,000, while the third must provide a title deed as justification.
The case has been adjourned to April 25, 2025.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Kwadwo Aboagye, informed the court that the complainant, Amadu Seidu, is a resident of Sampa in the Bono Region.
The accused is a branch pastor of a charismatic church in Tema.
According to the prosecution, in 2023, the complainant expressed his intention to travel to Canada with his family to resettle there.
He discussed this with one Nana Abena Sika, who introduced the accused as someone who could assist with the visa acquisition process.
In October 2024, the accused instructed the complainant to make an initial payment of GH¢80,000, which the complainant promptly did. He also submitted three passport booklets—his own, his wife’s, and his daughter’s—to begin the documentation process.
The prosecution stated that the accused ultimately collected a total of GH¢310,000 from the complainant.
Later, the accused informed the complainant that he had been unsuccessful in acquiring Canadian visas but had instead obtained visas for the United Kingdom (UK).
Based on this, the accused invited the complainant and his family to Accra to prepare for their trip to the UK.
However, upon the family’s arrival in Accra, the accused went into hiding for three days and was nowhere to be found.
The complainant’s family eventually returned to Sampa, and a report was filed with the police at James Town. The accused was later arrested from his hideout.
According to the prosecution, Ofori admitted to the offense in his caution statement.