The Accra High Court has granted Pastor Love Hammond bail of GH¢2 million with two sureties.
The decision follows an application filed by his lawyer, Mr. Kwame Yeboah, seeking bail pending an appeal.
The request was granted during proceedings on Friday, November 15, 2024. The court presided over by Justice Kizita Naa Koowah Quarshie, ruled that the GH¢2 million bail must be secured by landed property.
Also, the judge ordered Pastor Love to submit his passport to the Court Registry, ensuring it does not expire before November 15, 2025.
Pastor Love was also instructed to report to the police every Tuesday.
Despite the bail being granted, Angel FM reports that Pastor Love has been returned to Nsawam Prison, as he has yet to meet the GH¢2 million bail requirements.
Arrest and legal battle
In October 2024, Pastor Love was sentenced following a lengthy legal battle over the sale of a friend’s car, for which he failed to account for the proceeds.
The case, which dates back to 2017, resulted in Pastor Love being found guilty of theft, appropriation, and dishonesty.
Background
The case stems from a 2016 agreement between Pastor Love and the complainant, Samuel Amankwah.
Amankwah had imported a Toyota Highlander into Ghana and entrusted Pastor Love with the car, asking him to clear it through customs and promising to reimburse him for the cost.
Amankwah later instructed Pastor Love to sell the car for $50,000 and deduct the clearing fee from the sale proceeds.
However, in April 2017, Amankwah changed his mind, as he was planning to return to Ghana soon and intended to pay Pastor Love the clearing fees directly.
Upon his arrival, Amankwah discovered that Pastor Love had neither the car nor the proceeds from its sale, despite constant requests.
Pastor Love, after his arrest, eventually admitted that he sold the car without Amankwah’s consent.
He explained that he had taken a loan of GH¢40,000 to clear the car, but the loan was accruing interest, so he sold the car for GH¢80,000 to repay the debt, giving GH¢70,000 to the loan company.
However, Pastor Love could not provide any evidence to substantiate his claims. He was unable to lead police to the loan company or identify the person who purchased the car.
During the trial, Pastor Love pleaded for leniency, citing his status as a first-time offender and expressing a willingness to pay any fine.
However, the judge, Justice Isaac Addo rejected his plea and proceeded with the sentencing.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
