General News of Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Source: GNA

Attorney General brings fresh charges against Obinim

The State on Wednesday brought fresh charges against Bishop Daniel Obinim, Leader of God’s Way International Church and two others who allegedly vandalised premises of Hot FM, an Accra-based radio station.

Daniel Obinim, 33, Kingsley Baah, 25, and Kofi Akwetey, 35, both Pastors of the church allegedly caused harm to two broadcast journalists, Mr Paul Kwame Katakyie Ntim and Mr Shardrack Adu.

They all pleaded not guilty to three counts of conspiracy to assault, and unlawful entry.

However, Bishop Obinim was additionally charged with causing harm.

Mr Kwame Afriyie, Counsel for the accused persons prayed the court to admit his clients to bail since the offence was a bailable one.

Ms Rebecca Adjalom, a State Attorney told the court that they were not opposed to bail if only they would be available for the trial.

Ms Audrey Kokuvi Tay, the trial judge granted GH?200,000 bail with three sureties to the accused persons.

The prosecution's case was that during the night of August 8, 2011, the radio station was discussing an alleged sex scandal against Obinim on its programme “Nyaasem ne hye”.

In addition, a voice recording of Obinim was played on air, while issues about his wife and other pastors were highlighted.

The prosecution said the accused persons on hearing the discussions stormed the radio station with an iron bar and began vandalising the doors and other studio equipment, CD players, electro voice microphones, voice processors, telephones, a recording computer and head phone distributor.

It said cost of the vandalised equipment was not yet known.

The prosecution said, the accused attacked the complainants, other panel members and inflicted injuries on them.

However, Mr Adu managed to escape to Adabraka Police Station where he lodged a complaint.

The Police proceeded to the scene arrested the accused persons, and issued medical forms to the victims and were yet to submit their medical reports.