Accra: Erasmus Billow, a pastor affiliated with the Increased Ministry, has been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly conspiring with a mason, Joshua Adamptey, to defraud a driver of GHC700,000. The duo is accused of collecting the money from the complainant, Yarkeeni Iddrisu, under the pretense of providing him with gold, which they failed to deliver.
According to Ghana News Agency, Billow faces charges of abetment of crime, while Adamptey is charged with defrauding by false pretenses. A third accomplice, known only as Albert, remains at large. Both Billow and Adamptey have pled not guilty to the charges. They have been granted bail by the court, presided over by Mrs. Susana Edufful, in the amount of GHC100,000 each, with two sureties required to justify their bail with a title deed in their name.
Prosecutors Chief Inspector Godwin Wemegah and Inspector Clement J. Acquah informed the court that Iddrisu, a driver residing in Accra, was a former friend of Billow. In August 2024, Billow allegedly approached Iddrisu, claiming that Adamptey and Albert had inherited gold from their late mother. Billow reportedly convinced Iddrisu to financially assist in the purification of the gold, leading Iddrisu to accumulate GHC700,000 by borrowing money and selling his car.
The court heard that after receiving the money, the accused claimed a final spiritual pacification was necessary before Iddrisu could access the gold. During a supposed spiritual bath at a riverbank in Somanya, a gang allegedly associated with the accused attacked Iddrisu, robbing him of GHC6,000 and transferring GHC11,000 from his phone under duress.
The incident was reported to Baatsona police on August 15, 2025, resulting in Billow's arrest and subsequent release on enquiry bail. Adamptey was apprehended on September 6, 2025, in Somanya. In his caution statement, Adamptey admitted to receiving money from Iddrisu and Billow but only recalled GHC200,000, which he claimed was sent to his spiritual leader in Benin. The case has been adjourned until October 14, 2025.
