Convicted Pastor Love granted bail of GH₵2 million as appeal process begins
The High Court in Accra has granted bail to Pastor Hammond Love, commonly referred to as Pastor Love, as he appeals his 48-month prison sentence for stealing a Toyota Highlander. The bail, set at GH₵2 million, comes with strict conditions, including three guarantors who must justify their properties within Accra.
Presiding over the case, Justice Naa Koowa Quarshie also ordered Pastor Love to surrender his passport, which must remain valid until at least November 15, 2025. Additionally, he is required to report to the police every Tuesday.
Pastor Love was convicted by the Circuit Court in Accra on October 1, 2024, after a trial lasting seven years. He was sentenced to hard labour for selling a 2013 Toyota Highlander without the consent of its owner, Samuel Amankwah, a businessman based in the United States. Despite pleading not guilty, Pastor Love was found guilty of theft.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, Pastor Love and his legal team, led by Francis Kwame Yeboah, filed an appeal, arguing that there were significant errors in the trial court’s judgment. According to the defence, Pastor Love used his own funds to clear the vehicle after being instructed by the complainant to sell it for $50,000 and deduct the clearing charges. However, the Circuit Court later found him guilty of theft, a contradiction the defence highlighted.
During police investigations, Pastor Love admitted to selling the vehicle for GH₵80,000 without the complainant’s consent, claiming the loan he took to clear the vehicle had gained interest. Despite his explanation, he was unable to identify the buyer or provide proof of the alleged loan.
Assistant State Attorney Rita Ofosua Appiah, representing the prosecution, opposed the bail application, arguing that Pastor Love, as a convicted individual, was not entitled to the presumption of innocence. She added that the defence’s claims were proof based issues that should be addressed during the appeal process.
After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Naa Koowa Quarshie granted the bail request, allowing Pastor Love to await the outcome of his appeal.
