The Peki District Police Command has arrested a pastor for defying the church service ban as directed by President Nana Addo.
Apostle Sampson Agakpe, founder and General Overseer and head Pastor of the Church of Pure Christ was arrested having a church service at the church premises at Tongor-Abui in the South Dayi District Assembly.
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According to Superintendent Simon Agbodeka, District Police Commander on the Happy Morning Show with Samuel Eshun, he said he received complaints from an informant of ongoing activity in spite of the ban which forms part of the drastic measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
“On 12/4/2020 Police had information that Apostle Sampson Agakpe, founder and General Overseer and head Pastor of the Church of Pure Christ is having a church service at the church premises at Tongor-Abui in the South Dayi District Assembly. Police proceeded and met the Apostle preaching to a congregation of over fifty members, in flagrant disregard of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana’s imposed restrictions on public gathering including religious activities in churches. Police took photographs and arrested the Apostle and two of his church elders amidst gross disregard of police, whilst other congregants took to their heels and escaped arrest, “he said.
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He added that “First Accused person Apostle Sampson Agakpe, Second accused Maxwell Dzogoedzikpe a sub Pastor and third accused Samuel Agakpe Secretary of the aforementioned church was charged and arraigned before Kpando Circuit court. The accused persons were convicted on their plea to pay a fine of Ghc 13,200.00 each or in default serve a prison term of 4years each (WHL) with hard labor. The convict is being processed to be handed over to prison authorities to commence their prison terms.”
Persons flouting lockdown directive could be imprisoned or fined by Police
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The Ghana Police Service has already indicated that persons who flout restrictions or failed to Comply with Restriction imposed by His Excellency of the Republic of Ghana in respect of COVID-19: Contrary to paragraph 1(i) (a) (ix) of E.I 64 and sect. 6 of the imposition of restrictions Act 2020 (1012) is a criminal offense which is punishable by law.
