Pastor sentenced for stealing

Tarkwa (Western Region) 30 Nov. '98

A Tarkwa circuit court has sentenced Yaw Obuor, a 40 year-old pastor of the New Africa Faith Church at Badu, near Wenchi in the Brong-Ahafo region, to a fine 300,000 cedis or in default six months' imprisonment in hard labour for stealing. He pleaded guilty to the charge. Police Inspector Lydia Vondee, told the court that about two weeks ago, Pastor Obuor went to Dadieso to pray for Madam Agnes Tandoh, a baker, who accommodated him. Obuor told his hostess that his brother had shipped goods from abroad and needed 1.5 million cedis to clear them from the Tema Harbour. Agnes promised to give him 1.2 million cedis leaving him to find the remaining three hundred thousand cedis elsewhere. Inspector Vondee said on September 20th this year, Obuor broke into the wardrobe of Agnes and took the 1.2 million cedis, promised him, and buried it in a nearby bush and covered it. He then took an overdose of valium to put him to sleep to allay any suspicion that he had stolen the money. The Prosecution said the following morning, the Pastor could not wake up and his hostess and her husband carried their small child through the window into the room to open the door. The Pastor was still sleeping. Tandoh reported her lost money to the Police while the Pastor was rushed to Dadieso health post. When Obuor regained consciousness, he told the Police that thieves attacked him in the night and chloroformed him to put him to sleep. The prosecution said the district head of the church, Pastor Solomon Arthur, was informed about the case and in the presence of some elders of the church, Obuor confessed stealing the money. When the black polythene bag containing the money was retrieved, the amount was ten thousand cedis less. Obuor said he used five thousand cedis for food and staked lotto with the other five thousand cedis. The remaining 1,190,000 cedis, has been returned to the owner. He pleaded guilty.