Controversial clergyman Pastor Hammond Love, commonly known 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, requiring two sureties backed by landed properties. After meeting these conditions, Pastor Love was released from custody, according to Ghpage TV.
In a video that quickly gained attention online, Pastor Love celebrated his release by singing and dancing to King Paluta’s "Akoma" while driving. His jubilant display sparked mixed reactions, with some critics questioning his choice of secular music instead of gospel songs, which they felt would have been more appropriate for a man of God expressing gratitude.
Pastor Love’s legal troubles stemmed from an incident on October 1, 2024, when he was convicted for stealing a Toyota Highlander belonging to his childhood friend, Samuel Amankwah. The court sentenced him to four years in prison with hard labour. While he was initially granted bail, he was returned to jail after failing to meet the required conditions. However, after several weeks, his legal team was able to gather the necessary funds to meet the court’s bail requirements, leading to his eventual release.
This public celebration, paired with the choice of non-religious music, has fueled further controversy, prompting some to question Pastor Love’s priorities and behaviour as a spiritual leader.
Background:
The case traces back to a 2016 agreement between Pastor Love and Samuel Amankwah. Amankwah had imported a Toyota Highlander to Ghana and entrusted Pastor Love with the vehicle, asking him to clear it through customs and later reimbursing him for the costs. Amankwah eventually asked Pastor Love to sell the car for $50,000 and deduct the clearing fees from the proceeds.
However, in April 2017, Amankwah changed his plans and intended to return to Ghana to directly pay Pastor Love for the clearing fees. Upon his return, Amankwah discovered that Pastor Love had neither the car nor the sale proceeds, despite repeated requests.
Pastor Love admitted to selling the car without Amankwah’s consent, explaining that he had taken a GHC40,000 loan to clear the vehicle, which was accruing interest, and sold it for GHC80,000. He claimed to have used GHC70,000 to pay off the debt, though he failed to provide evidence for these assertions or identify the buyer or the loan provider.
During the trial, Pastor Love pleaded for leniency, requesting a fine instead of a prison sentence, as a first-time offender. However, Justice Isaac Addo dismissed his plea and proceeded with sentencing.
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