Takoradi, June 27, GNA - The Takoradi Circuit Court "B" on Monday remanded Stephen Nkansah, a mason, in custody for defrauding a pastor, Joe Ghartey, to the tune of GH¢2,700.

His plea was not taken and would re-appear in court on June 29. Giving the facts of the case, Chief Inspector Alice Parker-Wilson told the court presided over Mr. Kwasi Boakye that in November last year, Nkansah led Pastor Ghartey to purchase two plots of land at the cost of GH¢4, 000 from the queen mother of Butumagyebu.

The prosecutor said Pastor Ghartey gave Nkansah GH2,700 to be given to the queen mother as part payment of the land, but the accused failed to give the money to the queen mother.

The complainant consequently reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested.

However, the accused pleaded with the police and promised to pay the money in a month so he was granted bail.

But the prosecutor said the accused went into hiding when he was granted bail. He was re-arrested by the complainant on June 18, and handed over to the police.

The accused admitted the offence in his caution statement and has subsequently paid GH¢1,900.