Kumasi, Nov. 19, GNA - Joseph Asare alias Castro, a teacher and a member of the World Fire Chapel International was on Tuesday remanded in prison custody by a Kumasi circuit court for defrauding a pastor to the tune of 12 million cedis.

He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on November 26.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Margaret Damalie told the court that sometime in the middle of last year, the Reverend Felix Kwarteng, Head Pastor of the Church, whose friend wanted to travel to the United States of America, informed some of his Church members who could assist him facilitate his friend's travel to see him as soon as possible for negotiations.

She said the accused therefore, approached Rev. Kwarteng one evening and told him that he was related to one of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene's linquist, and would therefore, not find it difficult securing a visa for the friend to join Otumfuo on his trip to America.

Chief Inspector Damalie said not suspecting that his Church member would dupe him, gave him eight million cedis and later added four million cedis to bring the sum total to 12 million cedis.

She said after collecting the money, the accused went into hiding until last week when he was arrested by the police and charged with the offence.