A Cape Coast-based pastor, already facing trial for defilement, has been ordered to be remanded in prison custody following his arrest on new charges related to the possession and creation of child sexual abuse material.
Reverend Dr. Ebenezer Conduah, the head pastor of Mahanaim Christian Centre at Ankaful, appeared before the Adenta Circuit Court in Accra on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
He faces two provisional counts of indecent image of a child and dealing with a child for sexual abuse, offenses contrary to Sections 62 and 63 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038).
The court did not take his plea, as it lacks jurisdiction over the matter. His appearance was a procedural requirement to comply with the constitutional provision mandating that an arrested person be brought before a court within 48 hours.
He has been remanded and is expected to be brought before the High Court in Accra later this week.
The case took a significant turn following a forensic analysis of the pastor’s digital devices.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Fuseini Yakubi, the prosecutor, told the court that the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is the complainant.
The investigation began on December 8, 2025, when the CSA received a request from the Regional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Cape Coast.
They sought technical assistance to conduct a forensic examination of devices belonging to Conduah, who is currently facing eight counts of defilement at the Cape Coast Circuit Court.
During the forensic analysis, investigators uncovered disturbing material. According to DSP Yakubi, several files suspected to contain child sexual abuse content involving multiple victims were discovered.
One video, in particular, allegedly showed a naked child holding a white card displaying the web address of a well-known pornographic website.
A male voice, which the accused later confirmed as his own, can be heard in the background instructing the victim to state they were on that platform.
Based on these findings, investigators proceeded to arrest Conduah on March 6, 2026, at his apartment in Woraba, Eguase, Cape Coast.
A subsequent search of his residence led to the seizure of several items, including five mobile phones, two hard drives, two memory cards, a computer system unit, sex toys and female underwear.
The prosecutor stated that during interrogation, Conduah admitted to recording the video and confirmed that the voice in the background was his.
It was also revealed that the child in the video is the same victim involved in one of the pending defilement cases.
The accused declined to comment further until he had consulted with his legal counsel.
DSP Yakubi informed the court that the forensic examination is ongoing, and the newly retrieved devices will be submitted to the CSA Digital Forensic Lab for further analysis.
