Pastor Hammond Love, often referred to as Pastor Love, has been granted bail after successfully appealing his 48-month prison sentence for theft.
The Accra High Court set his bail at GH₵2 million, which required him to present two sureties backed by landed properties.
According to a report by Ghpage TV, Pastor Love has now been released from custody after fulfilling the bail requirements.
In a video that has circulated online, Pastor Love showcased his joy by singing along to King Paluta’s “Akoma” while dancing in his car.
His celebration has drawn a mixed response, with some critics saying his choice of music doesn’t align with his role as a religious leader, suggesting that he should have opted for gospel music to express gratitude for his release.
Pastor Love’s legal issues began on October 1, 2024, when he was convicted of stealing a Toyota Highlander from his childhood friend, Samuel Amankwah.
The court sentenced him to four years in prison with hard labour. Although he was granted bail a few weeks ago, he was initially returned to jail after failing to meet the bail conditions.
After weeks of waiting, Pastor Love’s legal team finally managed to secure the necessary funds to meet the court’s stipulations, ultimately leading to his release.
His public display of celebration, along with his choice of non-gospel music, has stirred controversy, leading some to question his priorities and behaviour as a pastor.
The case stemmed from a 2016 agreement between Pastor Love and Amankwah. The complainant had imported a Toyota Highlander into Ghana and entrusted Pastor Love to clear it through customs, promising to reimburse him for the expenses.
Amankwah later asked Pastor Love to sell the car for $50,000, deducting the clearing costs from the transaction.
However, when Amankwah returned to Ghana, he found that Pastor Love had neither the car nor the sale proceeds, despite his numerous requests for updates.
Background
During his arrest, Pastor Love admitted to selling the car without consent, claiming he had taken a GH₵40,000 loan to cover clearing costs, sold the vehicle for GH₵80,000, and used GH₵70,000 to pay off his debt. However, he could not provide evidence for these claims or identify the buyer or the loan company.
During the trial, Pastor Love sought leniency as a first-time offender and expressed his willingness to pay a fine. However, Judge Isaac Addo rejected his plea and proceeded with the sentencing.
Story by Obaapa Janee
