Pastor, Son Charged Over Alleged GH¢500k Land Fraud

Court News

A 70-year-old pastor, Christopher Nii Sowah Okpoti, and his son, Nii Akpor Sowah, 34, face charges related to a fraudulent land deal. The transaction involved GH¢500,000 and a luxury vehicle.

They are charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and defrauding by false pretence. Nii Akpor Okpoti appeared in the Dansoman Circuit Court on Thursday. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Judge Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit granted him bail of GH¢550,000 with three sureties. Chief Inspector Portia Nuarko is the prosecutor in this case.

The complainant, Samuel Javis Kwaku Adjaho, is a businessman from Sakumono. He wanted to sell his Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon for GH¢700,000 due to financial issues. On May 26, 2023, he met the accused who offered to buy the vehicle for GH¢500,000.

Since they lacked cash, the accused proposed five plots of land at Oyarifa as payment. They claimed the land was registered in the name of Pastor Okpoti. Initially hesitant, Adjaho agreed after seeing the land and receiving an indenture.

However, when he tried to take possession of the land later on, others contested ownership. The accused then moved him to another site that was even worse. Adjaho's attempts to recover his money failed as they avoided him and refused refunds.

He reported the matter to police on May 2, 2025. The suspects were arrested on May 6 and admitted their offense during questioning but did not return his money. Investigations showed they had no legal title to the land and had sold Adjaho’s vehicle to someone else.

Investigators noted this case fits a pattern of deception targeting victims. During Thursday's hearing, bail conditions required two sureties be public servants earning at least GH¢5,000 each and living nearby. The third must own property worth at least the bail amount.

The accused must report to police weekly until further notice. The prosecution must file all disclosures and witness statements before a case management conference set for June 6, 2025.