Ho, May 21, GNA - A self-styled pastor was on Tuesday remanded into police custody by a Ho Circuit for stealing mobile phones at a prayer camp.

Emmanuel Sarpei, a baker by profession pleaded not guilty and would reappear on June 4 this year.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Sampson Kwame Agboado told the court presided over by Mr Emmanuel Siammeh that, Sarpei presented himself as a pastor at the Bethel Prayer Camp near the Ho Polytechnic and had been acting as such.

He said on April 25, this year, at about 0930 hours after prayers, Sarpei asked two women at the camp to give him their mobile phones for an urgent call. Inspector Agboado said after taking the phones Sarpei disappeared from the camp. He said on May 7, this year at about 1400 hours, one Toto Ocloo a member of the prayer camp spotted Sarpei at Ho Housing Area and arrested him.

Inspector Agboado said Sarpei was thereafter taking to the prayer camp and later handed over the police. He said at the police station one Mawuse Kunu, a way-side mobile phone unit dealer also appeared to complain of Sarpei stealing her mobile phone, which she used to make calls for her clients. Inspector Agboado said Miss Kunu gave the phone to Sapei to make a call whilst she attended to another customer. He said before Miss Kunu could finish dealing with the new customer Sarpei had left with her phone. The Inspector said in his caution statement, Sarpei agreed having taking all the phones but insisted he did not steal them.