An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced Hammond Love, popularly known as Pastor Love, to four years in prison with hard labour for stealing.
The accused, the former husband of gospel musician Obaapa Christy, was found guilty of the offence after seven years of trial. Before he was sentenced, a downcast Pastor Love pleaded with the Court for mercy, adding that he was willing to pay any fine that would be imposed on him.
The Judge, Isaac Addo, took into consideration the fact that convicted Pastor Love is a first-time offender.
He, however, held that as a Pastor, he is expected to hold a high level of integrity, especially in matters of trust, and therefore handed him the 48-month jail term as a fair deterrent.
According to the prosecutor, ASP Seth Frimpong, the case dates back to November 30, 2016, when Amankwa shipped an unregistered Toyota Highlander with chassis number 5TDBK3EH3DS181410 to Ghana. Lacking the funds to clear the vehicle from the port, Amankwa sought help from Pastor Love, who agreed to use his own money to clear the car with the understanding that Amankwa would reimburse him upon returning to Ghana.
Initially, Amankwa instructed Pastor Love to sell the car for $50,000 after clearing it. However, he later changed his mind and asked the pastor to hold off on the sale until he arrives in the country. Despite these instructions, Pastor Love allegedly secured a loan of GHC40,000 from Loyed Microfinance Company Limited to clear the car, accruing additional interest each month.
Investigations revealed that Loyed Microfinance Company Limited was not registered with the Registrar General’s Department. Upon Amankwa’s return to Ghana in April 2017, Pastor Love demanded that Amankwa repay GHC56,000, which included the loan amount, interest, and $2,000 in shipping fees. However, when Amankwa asked to see the vehicle before making payment, he was denied access.
On May 25, 2017, Amankwa reported the case to the East Legon Police, leading to Pastor Love’s arrest. During police investigation, Pastor Love claimed to have sold the car for GHC80,000 to a certain Pastor Johnson, but he was unable to provide any information to help trace the buyer or the microfinance company. After investigations, Pastor Love was charged with fraud and brought before the court, where he was convicted.
BRIEF FACTS
Complainant Samuel Amankwa is a businessman and resident in USA whilst accused Hammond Love is a Pastor and lives in Accra. On 30/11/2016, the complainant shipped into the country an unregistered Toyota Highlander with chassis No. 5TDBK3EH3DS181410.
He informed the accused that he did not have money at the time to clear the car and the accused agreed to clear it with his money for the complainant to refund it to him on return to Ghana.
The complainant told the accused to sell the exhibit car at $50,000.00 after clearing it. The complainant later informed the accused not to sell the vehicle, till he arrives in Ghana.
The accused said he obtained a loan facility of GHC40,000.00 from Loyed Microfinance Company Limited with GHC2,000.00 interest on every GHC10,000.00 a month to clear the car on 1/2/17 and the loan was accruing interest every month, as a result, he sold it without the knowledge and consent of the complainant.
Checks at the Registrar General’s Department disclosed that Loyed Microfinance Company does not exist in their system.
The complainant arrived in the country from USA in April 2017 and confronted the accused for his car but the accused demanded that the complainant should pay an amount of GHC56,000.00 being the loan used to clear the vehicle and the interest and $2,000 being shipment fees.
The complainant demanded to see the car before payment but was denied. On 25/05/17, the complainant reported the case to the East Legon Police and the accused was arrested.
The accused when asked to produce the car claimed that he sold it to a certain Pastor Johnson for GHC80, 000.00, however he failed to lead Police to the buyer when requested.
All efforts made by Police for the accused to assist trace the said buyer and the Microfinance Company failed.
After investigations, he was charged with the offence and arraigned before this Honourable Court.
