Pastor Love Hammond, the head pastor of Action Grace Chapel International, has been sentenced to 48 months of hard labor following a conviction for theft. This outcome concludes a lengthy seven-year legal battle that has captured public attention.
Hammond, previously married to prominent Ghanaian gospel singer Obaapa Christy, faced the court after a series of events that began in 2016. According to legal documents, Samuel Amankwah, a U.S. resident, entrusted Pastor Love with the task of clearing a 4×4 vehicle he had shipped to Ghana. Initially, Pastor Love covered the clearance costs himself, with Amankwah directing him to sell the vehicle for $50,000 and retain the duty costs.
However, when Amankwah returned to Ghana in April 2017, he discovered that the vehicle was missing, despite multiple requests for its status. This prompted Amankwah to file a police report, leading to Pastor Love’s arrest in May 2017.
During the proceedings, Pastor Love argued that he had taken a loan of GH¢40,000 at 20 percent interest to clear the vehicle and subsequently sold it for GH¢80,000 without Amankwah’s approval to settle the loan. However, he was unable to provide evidence supporting his claims regarding the loan or the sale.
Judge Isaac Addo, who presided over the case, acknowledged Pastor Love’s status as a first-time offender but underscored the expectation of integrity for someone in his position. The judge concluded that the 48-month sentence was warranted not only as punishment but also as a deterrent to others.
Before sentencing, Pastor Love expressed remorse and sought leniency, indicating his willingness to pay any imposed fines. Nevertheless, the court’s decision highlights the importance of accountability, especially for public figures in positions of trust.
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