Obinim Case Adjourned

Counsel for Bishop Daniel Obinim, the founder and leader of the God�s Way International Ministry, who is standing trial in connection with unlawful entry and conspiracy to commit crime, on Friday said the statement given by the complainant was contradictory. He told an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Audrey Kocuvie-Tay that the evidence given by Paul Kwame Ntim Okatakyie, host of an Akan programme on Hot FM, an Accra-based radio station, was contrary to what he had earlier given to the court. For close to two hours of court proceedings, Kwame Gyame, counsel for Bishop Obinim, who used a greater part of the time for an extensive cross-examination of Mr. Okatakyie, informed the court that most of the answers of the witness were contradictory. However, Mr. Okatakyie refuted the counsel�s statement, saying that he was only telling the truth. The case was consequently adjourned to May 11 for continuation. Obinim and two of his pastors are standing trial for allegedly assaulting two journalists at an Accra-based radio station, Hot FM, because they were discussing a matter involving him without first informing him about it. Obinim and his pastors, Kingsley Baah, 25, and Kofi Akwettey, 35, have jointly been charged with seven counts of unlawful entry, conspiracy to commit crime to wit unlawful damage, causing unlawful damage, conspiracy to commit assault, and assault. Obinim had an additional charge of assault. They pleaded not guilty and are on bail. Mr. Okatakyie was led into evidence by Rebecca Adjalo, the state attorney, as he narrated what occurred on August 8, 2011. Bishop Obinim and his two pastors have been accused of assaulting two journalists at the said station as well as destroying studio equipment worth GH�130,850. Okatakyie, a broadcast journalist, who is the first prosecution witness, in his testimony mentioned that he was hit severally with a pinch bar in his ribs by the bishop who was offended that they were discussing an issue involving him without first informing him about it. According to him, he was taken unawares by the presence of the three accused persons who stormed the studio where he was then making an announcement after his programme. He said they attacked him with the weapon amidst words such as �if you don�t kill me today, I will kill you� by Bishop Obinim while he (Okatakyie) only questioned, �what have I done, what have I done�. He said he sustained injuries in the ribs and on his finger and had to attend hospital for treatment. Okatakyie added that he was in the studio with his two producers, Shadrach Adu Yaw Ajebu and Adu Kumi; Rev. William Amoako-Atta, Mallam Alhassan and his two boys he could not identify, when the incident occurred.