AG moves to consolidate online pastor romance scam cases

The Attorney-General’s Department is seeking to move the criminal cases against self-styled online pastor Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng from the Circuit Court to the High Court.

The move is expected to bring together two separate cases currently pending before Accra Circuit Courts One and 10.

An attorney from the Attorney-General’s Department told the Accra Circuit Court One that steps were being taken to consolidate the cases and transfer them to the High Court.

The case has been adjourned to September 8, 2026.

Kwarteng, a 35-year-old entrepreneur, is standing trial with his wife, Sally Akosua Amoasah, a Chartered Accountant.

Both have denied six counts of conspiracy to commit crime, namely defrauding by false pretences.

Sally has also been charged with making, producing and possessing obscene material.

Kwarteng faces additional charges of defrauding by false pretences, resisting arrest, and making, producing and possessing obscene material.

Sally has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties.

She has also been directed to report to the case investigator every Monday and Friday.

The Police have filed their disclosures ahead of a case management conference.

According to the prosecution’s amended facts, the case involves seven complainants, including an ambassador and businesswomen.

The prosecution says Kwarteng operated an Instagram page under the name Nana Bonsu Kwarteng, where he presented himself as a pastor and conducted online services for about 21,000 followers.

Sally allegedly participated in the online services by displaying Scripture verses and reading the Bible.

The prosecution claims she was aware of her husband’s activities.

The case against Kwarteng is that he used his online religious platform to build relationships with women, promise marriage and later collect money from them.

Prosecutors say he first contacted one of the complainants, an Instagram follower, in October 2024.

He allegedly told her that God had revealed she was his wife and later promised to marry her.

The prosecution says Kwarteng visited the woman’s family in Nigeria and later claimed he was involved in a profitable car-tyre business.

He allegedly collected US$33,000 from her to clear a container of tyres said to be attracting demurrage charges.

According to the prosecution, he promised to repay the money, knowing the woman had borrowed it from a business associate.

When repayment became due, Kwarteng allegedly avoided the woman and threatened to publish nude videos of her.

The prosecution says some of the videos were shared with Sally.

Investigators allege that Kwarteng used a similar approach on the other complainants by proposing marriage, visiting their families and collecting money from them under the pretext of clearing car tyres.

The prosecution says he collected GH¢25,000 from one complainant and later received US$4,000, GH¢22,000 and other foreign currencies from others.

It is also alleged that he secretly recorded intimate photographs and videos of some of the women and later used them to threaten and blackmail them when they demanded refunds.

The prosecution says Kwarteng deactivated his Instagram page after the complainants began pursuing him, while Sally also changed hers.

The two allegedly went into hiding after they were declared wanted by the Police and the Economic and Organised Crime Office.

Prosecutors further allege that part of the money collected from the complainants was used to celebrate the couple’s marriage ceremony in Kumasi on July 18, 2026.

They were arrested two days later, on July 20, after intelligence led officers to their hideout.

Kwarteng allegedly attempted to escape during the arrest but was recaptured.

The prosecution says investigations have also revealed that Sally registered a sole proprietorship in her name, allegedly to create the impression that the couple operated a legitimate business.

It says several secretly recorded sexual videos involving different victims were also uncovered.

The court was told that Kwarteng is facing similar cases under investigation by EOCO and the Nima Police.

The prosecution says more alleged victims have contacted investigators, while some women have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over Kwarteng’s alleged activities.

Investigations are continuing.