Pastor fleeces another pastor in visa deal

Rev. Eric Kwame Nkosinanthi, Head of Higher Dimension Christian Church, had no cause whatsoever to suspect the intentions of his own friend and colleague, Pastor Ezekiel Kofi Sika Ameseh, to rip him off when he volunteered to help him secure a visa for another Pastor, Rev. Garvin, to go and head a branch of the church in Italy.

But as an Accra Circuit Court was told on February 26, after collecting GHc 3,700 meant for procuring of the visa, Rev Ameseh allegedly vanished ‘out of coverage area’ until he was arrested by the Police from his hide out. He has been charged with the offence of defrauding by false pretences.

He pleaded guilty with an explanation following which the judge, His Honour Mr. Dickson.E. K. Daketse entered a plea of not guilty since the explanation was inconsistent with the charge.

Presenting the facts of the case to the court, Inspector John Nyatamey, the prosecutor, related that, last year May, Rev. Nkosinanthi (complainant) decided to send Rev. Garvin to Italy to head a branch of the church. Rev Ameseh (accused) allegedly got wind of the proposed plan and offered to secure the visa at the cost of GHc of 3,700.

A few days later after receiving the said amount, Rev. Ameseh allegedly brought a photocopy of an Italian visa and showed to it Rev. Nkosinanthi. Accordingly, the complainant demanded the passport but the accused allegedly claimed it was in the possession of one George Piasah, an Immigration Officer.


Rev. Ameseh allegedly asked Rev. Nkosinanthi and Rev. Garvin to meet him at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) for traveling documents; however, Rev. Ameseh failed to turn up for the scheduled meeting and allegedly went into hiding.

A report was made to the Police and accused was arrested from his hideout. During investigations, Rev. Ameseh was said to have admitted the offence and claimed that the money was with Piasah, the supposed Immigration Officer, but he could not lead the Police for his arrest. After investigations, the accused was charged with the offence at issue.

In expatiating on his admission of guilty with explanation, Rev Ameseh refuted the claim that he volunteered to acquire the visa. He maintained that it was Rev. Nkonsinanthi who allegedly directed him to take the money one Gabby who bolted with the money.

Based upon this new twist emanating from Rev. Ameseh’s submissions, the judge ordered the investigator in the case to investigate Rev. Nkonsinanthi as to whether he had also involved himself in any conspiracy as the accused seemed to suggests and report to the court on the next adjourned date, March 19.

Rev. Ameseh was granted bail in the sum of GHc 5,000 with two sureties.