Accra, July 30, GNA - A Nigerian Pastor who appeared before an Accra Circuit Court on Thursday declined to swear by the Bible.

Pastor S. Ovia said he preferred to affirm in open court that he was going to produce Bertha Akosua Boatema, a trader who is accused of defrauding 36 persons of GH¢ 13,500.00 under the pretext of renting rooms to them.

The court presided over by Mr D.E.K Daketsey in July ordered the arrest of Boatema for failing to appear before it.

Because the Police could not trace Boatema, the court compelled her surety Nana Oware, to produce her in court.

When the case was called Boatema resurface in the court room but could hardly walk.

Pastor Ovia who accompanied her to court said Boatema was receiving prayers and treatment at his church and pledged to ensure that Boatema pays the monies promptly.

The court however did not only take his verbal submission but asked that he should swear by the bible and provide written commitment.

"I swear by the Almighty God to ensure prompt payment of the monies so help me God," Pastor Ovia declared.

When Pastor Ovia appeared in court he brought along GH¢ 4,000.00, as part payment.

Mr Owusu Sekyere, Boatema's lawyer informed the court that his client had already paid GH¢ 2,500 to the Police.

He prayed the court to give her time to pay the rest of the money. The court obliged and adjourned the matter to August 27.

It asked the angry would be tenants who had insisted they should be given some of the monies to remain calm until at least half of the money was retrieved.

Boatema is alleged to have defrauded 36 persons under the pretext of providing them with rooms to rent but failed to do so. She has pleaded not guilty and the court admitted her to bail. 30 July 09