The law has caught up with a 36-year-old self-proclaimed spiritualist, Samuel Ebenezer Frimpong, who defrauded a nurse of ?1.2 million after claiming he would ward off a death threat to her.

Frimpong, who pleaded not guilty to false pretences, was granted five million cedis bail when he appeared before the Nkawkaw Community Tribunal.

The court, chaired by Mr William Boampong, heard that Frimpong told the nurse Miss Beatrice Laryea at the Kwahu Nsaba Clinic in February this year that Comfort Amoah, her senior colleague had sold her soul to the gods and that she was about to die. He allegedly added that Miss Laryea's deceased father's ghost had been weeping over her impending death and demanded ?1.2 million from the victim to buy some items to redeem her 'enslaved' soul and block the imminent death.

Miss Laryea paid the money to Frimpong, who told her that the ritual would be performed in three days.

Three days passed without any ritual and when Miss Laryea demanded a refund of the money, the accused told her that the money had been used to purchase the items.

She became suspicious and reported the case to the Police.