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Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 28 December 2011

Source: GNA

Police prevents attempt to abort convention of ARS

Tadzewu, Dec 28, GNA - Police last Saturday prevented an attempt to abort this year’s convention of the Apostles Revelation Society (ARS) at its international headquarters at Tadzewu in the Volta region.

A total of 15 alleged thugs, part of a group which attempted to disrupt the convention were picked up by the Police at Tadzewu.

Ten others, including one Ras, the alleged leader of the thugs and one Isaac Fumey leader of a splinter group within the ARS, alleged to have masterminded the abortive disruption are on the run.

One Iddrisu Issah, Driver in charge of a Benz bus, AS 3047 Z, which transported the alleged thugs from Accra to Tadzewu is also in police custody and the bus impounded.

Heavily armed police personnel are maintaining peace at the Church’s premises where two factions of the Church are holding separate conventions within the same area.

Mr Akwasi Asafo-Agyei, Dzodze District Police Commander said those arrested said they were mobilized from Dansoman in Accra and were told that they were going to a funeral in the Volta region.

He said calm has returned to the place.

The death of the Founder of the ARS Mawufeame Wovenu in 1999 caused a rift in the Church triggering legal suits.

Rev Nyeenyami Wovenu and Mama Kekeli Fia , both children of the late founder are in charge of the main church and its estate while Apostles William Dogbe and Nutsuakor Kodzovi are on the opposing side.

Both factions said their rights to lead the Church were conferred by spiritual revelations of the late founder.

Apostle Richard Akpenyo, spokesperson of the splinter group said the late Womenu’s revelation conferred control of the Church on the Apostles and not his children.

Mr Hope Gokah, Chief Security of the main Church on the other hand said the revelation appointed Mama Kekeli and Reverend Nyeenyami Wovenu the late Founder’s Children to lead the Church.

Apostle Dickson Abrakwa, General Secretary and Rev Nyeenyami Wovenu of the main church are serving 14 days in jail for contempt of an Accra High Court.