A charismatic church pastor, Cris Karl Ofori, is facing trial at the Dansoman Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a businessman of GHC310,000 under the pretense of securing travel visas for him and his family.
Ofori, who was arrested after going into hiding, pleaded not guilty to a charge of defrauding by false pretenses. The court, presided over by His Honor [Judge’s Name], granted him GHC350,000 bail with three sureties, two of whom must be public servants earning at least GHC5,000, while the third must provide a justified title deed.
The case has been adjourned to April 25, 2025.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Kwadwo Aboagye, revealed that the complainant, Amadu Seidu, a businessman from Sampa in the Bono Region, had plans to relocate his family to Canada.
In 2023, he confided in a friend, Nana Abena Sika, who then introduced him to Pastor Ofori, believing he had the connections to facilitate the visa process.
By October 2024, Ofori demanded an initial deposit of GHC80,000, which the complainant paid immediately, along with three passports—his, his wife’s, and his daughter’s.
Over time, the accused collected additional sums, bringing the total to GHC310,000, while assuring the complainant that the visas were being processed.
Later, Ofori informed the complainant that the Canadian visa process had failed, but claimed he had instead secured UK visas for the family. He then invited them to Accra to prepare for the trip.
Upon arrival in Accra, the family waited for three days, but Ofori was nowhere to be found, having gone into hiding.
Realizing they had been deceived, the complainant and his family returned to Sampa and reported the matter to the James Town Police.
Following investigations, Ofori was arrested from his hideout.
During police interrogation, Ofori admitted to defrauding the complainant, but his defense team is arguing against the charges in court.
With the case adjourned to April 25, 2025, investigations continue as the prosecution builds its case.
