A pastor from Tongor-Abui in the Volta region, has been jailed four years alongside two others, for defying the ban on social gatherings.

Sampson Agakpe, the founder of the Church of Pure Christ, assistant pastor, Maxwell Dzogoedzikpe and church secretary, Samuel Agakpe were arrested on April 12 for holding a church service contrary to the president’s orders.

Prosecutors say more than 50 persons attended the service, all of whom managed to escape when police stormed the venue.

The trio were arraigned before the Kpando Circuit Court where they pleaded guilty to flouting the ban put in place under the Imposition of Restrictions Act 2020.

Prosecutors told the court the three held a church service “in flagrant disregard of…restrictions on public gathering including religious activities in churches.”

Mr. Agakpe and his accomplices were fined GH¢13,200 each; or to serve four year imprison in default.

As of Thursday, April 16, the convicts had failed to pay the monies totalling GH¢39,600.

They have since been sent to the Ho Central Prison to begin their four year sentence.