In Ghana, cases against man calling himself an online pastor to be transferred to High Court
In Accra, Ghana, cases against Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng, whom prosecutors consider involved in romance scam schemes, have been withdrawn from circuit courts for consolidation and transfer to the High Court. The two proceedings had previously been heard by Circuit Courts No. 1 and No. 10.
As MyJoyOnline reports, a representative of the Attorney General informed Circuit Court No. 1 that steps were being taken to consolidate the two cases against Kwarteng. After the case was withdrawn, the court discharged Kwarteng and his wife, Sally Akuasua Amoasah, from participation in these proceedings.
Charges against the couple
Kwarteng, 35, an entrepreneur, and Amoasah, a chartered accountant, each face six charges of conspiracy to commit defrauding by false pretences. Amoasah is also charged with making, producing and possessing obscene materials.
Kwarteng additionally faces charges of defrauding by false pretences, resisting arrest, and making, producing and possessing obscene materials. The couple denies the charges. Amoasah was granted bail of 100,000 Ghanaian cedis with two sureties; she must report to investigators every Monday and Friday.
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Prosecution's version
According to the prosecution's case, the seven complainants included an ambassador and businesswomen. Prosecutors allege that Kwarteng operated an Instagram page with about 21,000 followers, where he presented himself as a pastor. According to them, Amoasah took part in his online services by reading Bible passages and displaying Bible verses.
According to the prosecution, in October 2024 Kwarteng contacted one of his Instagram followers, offered friendship and later told her that God had allegedly revealed to him that she was to become his wife. The prosecution also alleges that he visited her family in Nigeria and said that he was engaged in a profitable car tyre business.
Prosecutors claim that Kwarteng received $33,000 from the woman, saying the money was needed to clear a container of tyres for which demurrage charges were accruing. According to the prosecution, when the time came to return the money, he began avoiding the complainant and threatened to publish her nude videos.
Investigators also allege that Kwarteng used a similar scheme against the other six complainants, including obtaining 25,000 Ghanaian cedis, $4,000 and 22,000 Ghanaian cedis. According to the prosecution, he secretly recorded intimate photos and videos of some women and used them to threaten or blackmail them when they demanded their money back. The investigation is ongoing.
