Omanghana
The Attorney-General’s Department has begun processes to consolidate two criminal cases involving Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng, a self-styled online pastor accused of defrauding women through alleged romance scams.
The cases, currently pending before Accra Circuit Courts One and 10, are expected to be merged and transferred to the High Court for a single trial.
An attorney representing the Attorney-General’s Department disclosed the intended consolidation when the case was called before Accra Circuit Court One.
Police prosecutors have also filed the required disclosures ahead of a Case Management Conference.
Kwarteng, a 35-year-old entrepreneur, is standing trial with his wife, Sally Akosua Amoasah, a chartered accountant.
The couple face six counts of conspiracy to commit the crime of defrauding by false pretences.
Kwarteng faces additional charges of defrauding by false pretences, resisting arrest and making, producing and possessing obscene materials.
Amoasah has also been charged with making, producing and possessing obscene materials. Both accused persons have pleaded not guilty.
Amoasah has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties. She is required to report to the case investigator every Monday and Friday.
Kwarteng, however, remains in custody as the prosecution continues with the case.
According to the prosecution’s amended facts, the case involves seven complainants, including an ambassador and several businesswomen.
Prosecutors alleged that Kwarteng operated an Instagram account under the name Nana Bonsu Kwarteng, which had about 21,000 followers.
He allegedly presented himself as a pastor and conducted online religious services, while his wife displayed Scripture passages on the screen and read from the Bible.
The prosecution claimed Kwarteng began communicating with one of the complainants in October 2024 after she followed his Instagram account.
During their relationship, he allegedly told the woman that God had revealed she was destined to become his wife and later promised to marry her.
He reportedly visited her family in Nigeria before telling her that he operated a profitable vehicle-tyre business.
Prosecutors alleged that Kwarteng subsequently collected $33,000 from the woman under the pretext of clearing a container of tyres that was accumulating demurrage charges at the port.
He allegedly assured her that the money would be refunded despite knowing she had borrowed it from a business associate.
The prosecution said Kwarteng later avoided the woman when the repayment became due and allegedly threatened to publish intimate recordings of her.
He is accused of using a similar approach to obtain money from six other complainants after promising marriage and visiting some of their families.
The alleged transactions included GH¢25,000 from one complainant and separate payments of $4,000, GH¢22,000 and other foreign currencies from additional complainants.
Prosecutors further alleged that Kwarteng secretly recorded intimate photographs and videos of some of the women and used the materials to threaten them when they demanded refunds.
After the complainants began pursuing the matter, Kwarteng allegedly deactivated his Instagram account, while Amoasah changed hers.
The couple reportedly went into hiding after becoming wanted by the police and the Economic and Organised Crime Office.
Prosecutors alleged that part of the money obtained from the complainants was used to finance the couple’s marriage ceremony in Kumasi on July 18, 2026.
They were arrested at an alleged hideout on July 20. Kwarteng reportedly attempted to escape during the operation but was recaptured.
Investigators also alleged that Amoasah registered a sole proprietorship that was used to create the impression that the couple operated a legitimate business.
The prosecution said similar complaints involving Kwarteng were being investigated by EOCO and the Nima Police. Other alleged victims have contacted the police, while some women have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police.
Source: Omanghana
