The trial of three persons accused of embezzling GH¢382,221 belonging to Christian Pentecostal Church will begin on Monday, March 18, at the Circuit Court.
They are Jospeh Acheampong, a Consultant/Manager, Kenneth Osei-Ansong, Recovery Officer, and Esther Ofori, a Cashier at Christian Pentecostal Church.
The three, who have been charged with conspiracy and stealing of depositors’ fund, which operated as a credit union, are currently on bail.
Acheampong, Osei-Ansong and Ofori have pleaded not guilty when they first appeared before the court, presided over by Mrs Kizita Koowa Quashie.
Prosecuting, Superintendent of Police Augustus Yirenkyi told the court that Apostle Daniel Obeng, the Head Pastor of Christian Pentecostal Church (CPC), Kwashieman, was the complainant.
He said that in 2015, Acheampong joined the CPC and persuaded the leadership to establish the Christian Pentecostal Credit Union.
Supt. Yirenkyi said Acheampong convinced them that he was a banker and would successfully help CPC establish their credit union.
As a result, he was given the mandate to set up and run the credit union, and he employed the two other accused, who visited church members at their homes and offices to collect contributions.
The court heard that in 2018, KwabenaYeboah and Frank Mensah Bonsu, depositors at the Christian Pentecostal Credit Union, attempted to collect funds lodged with the credit union but were unsuccessful.
The prosecution said Kwabena and Bonsu raised the issue with the complainant and also reported the incident to the police.
Supt. Yirenkyi told the court that the accused collected GH¢382,221 from other depositors and failed to repay them.
The prosecution said Acheampong was arrested, and police retrieved documents covering the credit union as well as GH¢3,100 cash during a search of his residence.
Apostle Daniel Obeng, the complainant, confirmed in his statement to the police that the accused oversaw running the credit union.
The prosecution said some statements were taken from depositors.
Supt.Yirenkyi said Acheampong has denied any wrongdoing and explained that the credit union run into “liquidity difficulties.”
BY MALIK SULLEMANA