Two pastors, Samuel Kwesi Tsogbe and Christ-Esther, have been found guilty of stealing GH¢200,000 from a 72-year-old bedridden pensioner and have been sentenced to prison. The pastors, who were leading figures at Cornerstone Ministry International in Kpando, Volta Region, committed the crime by stealing the pensioner’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and chequebook. They then made multiple withdrawals and deposited the funds into their personal accounts.
The case was brought before the court on July 4, 2023, with Her Honour Sedinam Awo Balokah presiding. Both pastors pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy and stealing. Given the severity of the crime, the judge sentenced Samuel Kwesi Tsogbe to six years in prison and Christ-Esther to five years. The judge emphasized that this verdict aimed to deter others from committing similar offenses.
Furthermore, the judge ordered the confiscation of a Hyundai Mighty II truck belonging to the convicts, as well as the freezing of the National Investment Bank (NIB) account held by Tsogbe at the Adenta branch. These measures were taken to ensure that the stolen funds could be recovered to the extent possible.
It is worth noting that while the pastors were initially charged with conspiracy and stealing, the prosecution withdrew the conspiracy charge. As a result, the judge convicted them solely on the charge of stealing.
During the court proceedings, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, presented the case. He explained that the complainant, who was the niece of the victim, resided in Kpando, Volta Region, while the 72-year-old pensioner, Fred Martin Amlor, lived in Danfa, Accra. The prosecutor revealed that in 2022, the pastors manipulated the victim through false prophecies, convincing him that they had solutions to his problems if they could live with him.
According to Chief Inspector Lanyo, five months after moving in with the victim, the pastors dismissed the existing house help and brought in their own accomplice. During this time, they managed to steal the pensioner’s NIB ATM card and chequebook. From September 22, 2022, to June 2, 2023, taking advantage of the victim’s bedridden state, they gradually siphoned off money from his account.
The prosecutor stated that the crime came to light when the victim’s niece returned home to attend to her uncle’s financial needs and discovered that the ATM card and chequebook were missing. She promptly reported the incident to the Kpando Police, and subsequently, the case was transferred to the Ayi Mensah Police Station in Accra for further investigation.
During the investigation, both pastors, Tsogbe and Esther, were arrested and interrogated. They confessed to their involvement in the crime, solidifying the evidence against them.
Justice has been served, and the pastors will face the consequences of their actions as they begin their respective prison sentences.
