Vaglas Kanco�s Men Attack Journalists

The premises of an Accra Circuit Court was yesterday turned into an assault arena as followers of Bishop Vaglas Kanco, the General Overseer of the Vineyard Chapel International who is facing trial for allegedly defrauding a British National to the tune of �120,000 pummeled journalists who were present at the court to cover the day�s proceedings. The female amongst the irate sympathizers, like squirrels, ranted �if you want to write stories come to the church premises where there will be miracles for you to write about. We don�t bribe and chlorophyll people. You only prey on these men of God for a living, I bet you, where this man has gotten to, you can�t get there�. A midst innuendos and curses Metro TV and e.tv cameramen and reporters were nearly physically assaulted but for the intervention of the police, when the Bishop was being escorted out of the premises of the court. However, Bishop Kanco was granted ail to the tune of GH�3,000 with three sureties to be justified. He is to re-appear before court today to continue proceedings. It would be recalled that the media last week reported that Bishop Kanco allegedly convinced the complainant to issue a cheque of �120,000 in his name in order for him to pray over and return it to her on a later date. Bishop Kanco pleaded not guilty to one count of defrauding by false pretence when he was arrested and remanded. Presenting the facts of the case, A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr. P.K Frimpong, told the court that the complainant met the Bishop Kanco in London during a crusade organized by the Alive Chapel Internal Church on March 25, 2003. The accused person during his meeting with the complainant listened to her problems and promised to offer some help. The complainant during the said meeting also informed the bishop that she was to pay �120,000 to her partner, whom Bishop Kanco described as an evil person. The accused person also made her to believe that she would die if she issued the cheque directly to her partner. According to the prosecution, the complainant subsequently re-issued the cheque in the name of Bishop Kanco, who promised to pray over it and return it between June 16 and July 25, 2003 when he was scheduled to attend another crusade in London. He however, failed to return to London for that crusade and also failed to return the cheque as promised. The prosecution told the court that Bishop Kanco rather went ahead and cashed the cheque at the Makola Branch of the Barclays Bank. It said the accused person stopped using the telephone number he had provided to the complainant, thereby making it impossible for her to reach him. The complainant arrived in Ghana on December 2, 2009 and reported the matter to the police, who effected Bishop Kanco�s arrest on December 9, 2009. The prosecution said Bishop Kanco admitted receiving the cheque from the complainant but claimed it was a gift.