By Joyce Danso, GNA
Accra, Sept.1, GNA – A Fetish priest who defrauded a trader of GH ȼ 8,000.00 under the pretext of multiplying it to GH ȼ 80,000.00 has been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court.
Benjamin Doe, aka Ben Doe, an Adjin Kotoku based-fetish priest would also pay a fine of GH ȼ 3,600.00, and in default serve an additional two-year jail term.
Handing the sentence, the court presided over by Mr Aboagye Tandoh explained that Doe had refunded GH ȼ 8,500.00 a little over the GHȼ8,000.00, which he collected from the Prestea-based trader and galamsey operator and also had prayed for leniency.
The Judge, however, declared that the Court ought to serve a strong signal to all who hid behind the society to legitimatise beliefs in spirits and gods to defraud people who were in dire need of assistance.
Doe is said to have plied his trade on Amansan TV, Peace FM, and other networks and his trade names were ‘Abonsam Sika,’ ‘Sika Duro,’ ‘Pocket no dry,’ and ‘Money doubling’.
The court on August 31, this year found Doe guilty on the charge of defrauding by false pretences and convicted him.
However, Doe’s counsel Mr George Assamaney prayed the court to give them time to organise themselves so they could refund the money.
In spite of the extra monies totalling GH ȼ 13,540.00 to purchase items to convince his gods to assist the complainant Mr Joseph Acquah.
Mr Assameney said he had advised his client to be cautious of what those gods could do but could not do.
At yesterday’s sitting the court implored people to work hard and desist from embarking on shortcuts to riches.
The court observed that the complainant instead of resorting to hard work, he chose the path of quick money.
It advised the public to beware of adverts run through the media, adding fraudulent spiritualist had invaded media outlets and it was not all that the media portrayed that were truthful.
The facts, as presented by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) A. Suleman were that the complainant resided as Prestea.
In February last year, DSP Suleman said Doe advertised on Amansan TV to help people for their business to grow. Hence his telephone number appeared on the screen.
DSP Suleman said the complainant, therefore, travelled to Accra and called the convict on phone and he directed him to his house at Adjen Kotoku, near Amasaman in Accra.
According to the prosecution, when the complainant met Doe, he told him he was into money doubling, pockets no dry and Sika Duro.
Afterwards DSP Suleman said the complainant opted for doubling of money. Doe demanded GH ȼ 8,000.00 to multiply his money to GH ȼ 80,000.00.
Based on that, Doe collected GH ȼ 13,450.00 to purchase some items such as six flowers and Saturday night powder to purify the gods.
The Prosecution said after collecting a total of GH ȼ 21,540.00, Doe failed to honour his promise and he also failed to refund the money.
On April 10, last year, a report was made to the Police so the accused was nabbed.
GNA