A Circuit Court in Accra has sentenced Pastor Hammond Love, affectionately called Pastor Love, to 48 months in prison after being found guilty of stealing.

Before his conviction, Pastor Love had pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing a 2013 Toyota Highlander in 2017.

However, after a full trial spanning seven years, the Court, presided over by His Honour Isaac Addo, found him guilty and sentenced him to serve the punishment with hard labor.

According to the Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maxwell Frimpong, the complainant, Samuel Amankwah, is a businessman and a resident of the United States of America, while the accused (now convict), Hammond Love, also known as Pastor Love, is a pastor residing in Accra.

ASP Frimpong stated that in 2016, the complainant shipped a 2013 Toyota Highlander with chassis number STDBK3H3DS181410 into the country and tasked the accused (convict) with clearing it.

The Prosecutor said the accused (convict) used his own money to clear the vehicle.

“After clearing the vehicle, the complainant told the accused (now convict) to sell the vehicle for $50,000 and deduct his duty money.

“The complainant later informed the accused not to sell the vehicle and that he would arrive in Ghana in April to pay his money,” the Prosecutor informed the Court.

The Prosecutor stated that in April 2017, the complainant arrived in the country and contacted the accused for his vehicle.

“The accused could not produce the vehicle to the complainant despite several demands,” ASP Frimpong stated.

The Prosecutor added that on May 25, 2017, the complainant reported the case to the East Legon Police Station, and the accused was arrested.

“During interrogation, the accused told the police that he secured a loan of GHC40,000 with 20% interest to clear the vehicle.

“That the loan was accruing more interest, so he sold the vehicle without the consent of the complainant for GH¢80,000 and gave GHC70,000 to the loan company,” the Prosecution noted.

“The accused could not lead the police to the said loan company to ascertain the truth or otherwise.

“He also did not show the person who bought the vehicle,” the Prosecution told the Court.

The Prosecutor said, “after investigations, he was charged with the offence and arraigned before this Honourable Court.”

TWI NEWS