Bishop Daniel Obinim Pleads Again
Mr Afriyie, the defence lawyer for Bishop Daniel Obinim, the leader of God’s Way International Ministry, yesterday hinted at an Accra Circuit Court that some negotiations are ongoing behind the scenes to get a criminal matter involving the pastor amicably resolved.
This was after he had prayed for a long adjournment to await an advice from the Attorney-General’s department concerning a first degree felony charge of use of offensive weapon against the man of God.
However, the judge reminded counsel that cases on first degree felonies were not negotiable.
Daniel Obinim and two of his associate pastors, Kingsley Baah, 25, and Kofi Akwettey, 35, are in court for allegedly assaulting two journalists at an Accra-based radio station, Hot FM.
When the case was called, the prosecutor, ASP Reindorf Agyemang, informed the court that he had still not received advice from the AG’s department and pleaded for a short adjournment.
Just then, Mr. Afriyie, who did not object to this submission, added that he would prefer the court to give a long adjournment, by which time the advice would be ready.
He explained that normally, when dockets went for advice from the AG’s department, it took a long time for it to release its advice; so in order not for his client, who travelled from Kumasi to Accra all the time for the trial, to be inconvenienced, the judge should oblige his request.
He then disclosed that his client had started some negotiations to have the matter settled out of court but the judge reminded him that such an arrangement would not be possible.
The lawyer further explained that the said arrangements had started long before the charges were preferred against his client. The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to October 25 for hearing.
The bishop and his associates are jointly facing five charges of conspiracy to commit crime, unlawful entry, causing damage to private property and assault.
Obinim had two additional counts of the use of offensive weapon and causing unlawful harm.
They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on a GH¢50,000 bail with two sureties.
According to the prosecutor, the damages caused by the accused persons to the equipment at Hot FM studios were estimated at GH¢130,850.
The items destroyed included a voice processor, Telos Hybria, two CD players, head phone distributor, telephone sets, laptops and electro voice microphone.
The bishop, who looked very sober yesterday, was in court as early as 8:30am and at exactly 9:00am the case was called. As usual, his church members were at the court to show solidarity.
The accused persons, according to the prosecutor, on Monday August 8, 2011 stormed the studios of Hot FM and attacked Paul Kwame Ntim Okatakyie, the host of ‘Nya Asem Hwe,’ an Akan programme on the station, and another panelist, Shadrach Adu.
One of the topics being discussed at that time was the alleged sex scandal involving Bishop Obinim. In the course of the discussion, his alleged tape recording about the issue was played on air and issues about his wife and his pastors were also discussed.
Bishop Obinim and his accomplices, who were offended by the said discussion, allegedly stormed the Adabraka-based radio station with a crow-bar and sticks.
He allegedly attacked the staff, vandalized studio equipment, and inflicted injuries on the host and other panelists including Rev. William Amoako-Atta.
Obinim has been in the news lately for allegedly having sex with the wife of Pastor Williams Fobi, a junior pastor of his church.
He is reported to have admitted to having an amorous relationship with the lady because she was sexually appealing and that he enjoyed her.
However, Bishop Obinim claimed that God had forgiven him because he and his wife, Florence, had prayed fervently for forgiveness.
Source Daily Guide Ghana
Category: Religion
