This case revolves around allegations of fraud and abetment to defraud, involving a pastor, Erasmus Billow, and a mason, Joshua Adamptey. The victim, Yarkeeni Iddrisu, a driver and acquaintance of Billow, was allegedly lured into a scheme involving inherited gold requiring purification. Billow presented Adamptey and a third individual, Albert (currently at large), as inheritors of a substantial quantity of gold. He claimed to have personally verified the gold’s existence at their residence in Somanya, thus building trust with Iddrisu. Leveraging this trust, Billow convinced Iddrisu to contribute financially towards the purification process, which supposedly required oil and other materials.
Iddrisu, believing in the veracity of Billow’s claims and the potential returns from the gold, went to great lengths to raise the requested funds. He borrowed money and even sold his personal vehicle, ultimately accumulating a staggering GH¢700,000, which he handed over to the accused in installments. Rather than fulfilling their promise of delivering the purified gold, the accused concocted a further layer of deception. They informed Iddrisu that a final spiritual cleansing ritual was necessary before he could access the gold, arranging for this ceremony to take place at a riverbank in Somanya.
This “spiritual cleansing” turned into a carefully orchestrated ambush. As Iddrisu underwent the ritual, a group of assailants, suspected to be accomplices of Billow and Adamptey, emerged from the surrounding bush and attacked him. They subjected him to a severe beating and robbed him of GH¢6,000 in cash he had on his person. Further exacerbating the ordeal, they forcibly took his phone and, under the watchful eyes of Billow and Adamptey, transferred GH¢11,000 to their own accounts. This incident dramatically exposed the fraudulent nature of the entire scheme, leaving Iddrisu not only financially devastated but also physically harmed and emotionally traumatized.
Following the attack and robbery, Iddrisu reported the incident to the Baatsona police on August 15, 2025. This led to the arrest of Billow, who was subsequently released on police enquiry bail. The investigation continued, and on September 6, 2025, Adamptey was apprehended at his hideout in Somanya. During his interrogation, Adamptey admitted to receiving money from both Iddrisu and Billow. However, he claimed to recall only receiving GH¢200,000, which he purportedly sent to his spiritual father in Benin. This partial admission raises further questions about the whereabouts of the remaining funds and the involvement of other potential accomplices.
Both Billow and Adamptey appeared before an Accra Circuit Court. Billow faces charges of abetment of crime, while Adamptey is charged with defrauding by false pretences. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. The court, presided over by Mrs. Susana Edufful, granted them bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 each, with the condition that they provide two sureties and justify their bail with title deeds in the names of the sureties. The case has been adjourned to October 14, 2025, allowing time for further investigation and the gathering of evidence. The prosecution is being handled by Chief Inspector Godwin Wemegah and Inspector Clement J. Acquah.
The alleged involvement of a pastor in this intricate fraud scheme raises serious concerns. The case highlights the potential for individuals in positions of trust to exploit their influence for personal gain. The accusations against Billow and Adamptey paint a picture of a premeditated and callous operation, designed to deceive and defraud Iddrisu of his hard-earned money. The use of a spiritual narrative, including the inheritance of gold and the need for purification rituals, adds a layer of manipulation, playing on Iddrisu’s beliefs and vulnerabilities. The subsequent staged robbery further underscores the calculated nature of the alleged crime. The ongoing investigation and the upcoming court proceedings will be crucial in determining the full extent of the fraud and bringing all those responsible to justice.
