Reverend Joseph Botchwey, a 73-year-old evangelist, has been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court after allegedly defrauding a businessman of GH₵15,000.

The Reverend promised to sell a Hyundai Accent Saloon car to the businessman but failed to deliver. Additionally, he is accused of issuing a Cal Bank cheque of GH₵13,000 despite knowing that there were insufficient funds in the account.

During the court proceedings, Reverend Botchwey pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretense and issuing a false cheque.

The presiding judge, Mr. Joojo Amoah Hagan, granted the accused bail in the amount of GH₵50,000 with two sureties. One of the sureties is required to provide proof of ownership of landed property. The case has been adjourned until August 8, 2023.

According to the prosecution, the complainant, Mr. Yaw Agyare Danquah, is a businessman residing in Kwabenya, while Reverend Botchwey lives in Lartebiokorshie.

In May 2022, the accused offered his Hyundai Accent Saloon car for sale, and the complainant expressed interest. On May 4, 2022, the accused requested a payment of GH₵15,500 from the complainant, which was duly paid.

The accused then instructed the complainant to return at 4:00 PM on the same day to collect the vehicle.

It said the complainant later came to take the vehicle and the accused person started playing hide and seek with him.

The prosecution said the complainant became fed up and asked for a refund of his money which the accused person then issued two Cal Bank cheques with face value GH₵13,000.00 to be cash out on his said bank on November 28, 2022.

“However, when the cheques were presented to the bank, they were dishonored as the accused person had no money with the bank,” the prosecution added.

It said a report was made to the Police and the accused person was arrested.