Man of God charged with indecent assault

Accra, Aug. 6, GNA - People who thronged to an Accra Circuit Court were shocked when a man of God mounted the dock for assaulting a 22 year-old woman by sucking her breast, shaving her armpit and vagina under the pretext of driving away evil spirits tormenting her. Emmanuel Abobe, 41, who claimed to be an elder of the Church of Pentecost at Akatsi was said to have told his victim that there were snakes as well as its eggs stored in her vagina, which he had to remove with his left finger before she could be set free.
Abobe, who doubles as a prayer warrior, has pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault and causing unlawful damage to five panties, a pair of jeans and a pair of shorts worth 160,000 cedis. The court presided over by Mr Kwadwo Owusu has admitted Abobe to a 10-million cedi bail with a surety.
The facts are that on July 14, this year, Abobe was invited by a witness in the case to lead her household in prayers.
According to Police Inspector Emmanuel Boison, Abobe accepted the invitation and stayed in the house of the complainant for four days. During the accused person's stay, he took advantage of the complainant's family's absence and told his victim that she was being possessed by, "Maame Water," a river goddess (mermaid) adding, without his assistance his victim would continue to be under the bondage. The Prosecutor said the victim, who became afraid, opted for whatever treatment she would go through. Abobe firstly gave the victim some concoctions, which he claimed he had brought from Edumfa in the Central Region to drink with the intent of casting the evil spirit away. Prosecution said Abobe then told the victim that she had snakes with its eggs stored in her vagina and until they were removed, the devil will remain in her forever.
According the Prosecution, Abobe forcefully opened his victim's dress and sucked her breast and shaved her in the armpit and her vagina with a view to redeeming her from spiritual bondage.
Abobe, who was not satisfied with his acts, then collected his victim's jeans, a pair of shorts and her five panties and burned them. Abobe's victim reported the matter to her parents and the accused was arrested.
Abobe denied shaving the victim but admitted having removed her dress and prayed for her by putting his hands on her vagina. When the court began hearing the case today, the victim admitted that Abobe frequently inserted his left finger into her vagina.
Hearing continues on August 12.