Obinim crowbar in court

THE CROWBAR allegedly used by Bishop Daniel Obinim, founder of International God’s Way Church, to destroy properties belonging to Hot FM – an Accra-based radio station – after assaulting the panellists on a programme, was yesterday tendered in court.

The crowbar was tendered in evidence by the investigator in the case, Detective Inspector Bismark Adu Gyamfi, at an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Abdulai Iddrisu, where the bishop and his two associate pastors – Kingsley Baah and Kofi Akwetey – are being tried in connection with the offence.

That was when the witness was being led in his evidence-in-chief by Rita Doko, the prosecuting state attorney.

The investigator explained that the crowbar was not found at the scene of the crime but was later handed over to him by the Counter Non-Commissioned Officer at the Adabraka Police Station where the case was initially reported.

The investigator also tendered pictures of the glasses of the studio allegedly smashed by the three suspects while the programme – “Nya As?m Hw?” – was taking place.

He told the court that on August 8, 2011, one Shadrack Adu was hosting the programme while Kwame Ntim Katakyie, the producer, was there with other panellists.

Detective Inspector Adu Gyamfi said the panellists were reportedly discussing some publications in DAILY GUIDE and Daily Graphic newspapers concerning an alleged affair between Bishop Obinim and one of his junior pastors’ wife.

According to him, Florence Obinim, wife of the bishop, heard the programme and informed the husband about it and so he took his two associate pastors and headed for Hot FM.

The investigator intimated that Obinim and the two pastors stormed the office of the radio station without passing through the main door, smashed the glass doors leading to the studio where the programme was taking place so as to gain entry into it.

Furthermore, Detective Inspector Adu Gyamfi said the broken glasses hit one of the panellists on the leg while the suspects assaulted the panellists.

In the process, they (suspects) were pushed to the floor.

He said the matter was reported to the Adabraka police by Shadrack Adu, Kwame Ntim Katakyie and others.

The police investigator said the suspects were also invited for questioning but they said they were not feeling well and so were taken to the hospital. Upon their discharge they gave their statements in Twi which he tendered in court without reading them.

The police officer also tendered in evidence their charge statements.

The case has been adjourned to July 28, 2014.

The accused persons reportedly vandalised property including transmitters and amplifiers worth GH¢130,580.00.

Kwame Ntim Katakyie had concluded his examination-in-chief and was being cross-examined by counsel for Obinim.

He told the court that Obinim tried to hit him with the crowbar, and in an attempt to grab it, he (Katakyie) was overpowered and hit by the bishop.

According to him, he had to seek treatment abroad as a result and is expected to bring along with him documents of his purported visit to Nice in France, to support his case.

The suspects have been charged with unlawful entry, causing unlawful damage, causing harm, conspiracy to commit assault, assault and three additional counts.

They denied any wrongdoing and have been granted bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 with two sureties.