Judge Frustrated In Bishop Obinim�s Case

Eric Kyei Baffour, a circuit court judge hearing the case of Bishop Daniel Obinim, yesterday expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the Attorney-General�s Department is handling the matter. This was after the judge observed that the State-Attorney assigned to handle the case, after about an hour of waiting, failed to show up in court. He subsequently warned the prosecution that if that happened again, he would strike out the case. On the last adjourned date, Cynthia Lamptey, the state attorney, through ASP Reindorf Agyeman, had requested from the court two weeks to study the case. The judge, who normally hears the case of Obinim around 8:30am, waited yesterday to about 9:30am before the case was called. All the parties, including the bishop, who normally comes very early, were present as at that time. When the judge notices that the State Attorney was not present, he said, �I am very disappointed at the A-G, it seems they are not interested in the case.� ASP Agyemang said he did not know why the State Attorney was not in court. The judge then asked where the investigator was and the police officer responded that the investigator called him in the morning that he was coming but could not explain what had accounted for the delay. Mr. Baffour said, �I do not accept delays in my court. If the investigator has finished with his investigation and somebody has been assigned to take over, then let whoever at the A-G�s office know that if he or she does not come, I will strike out the case. He subsequently adjourned the matter to December 19, 2011 but with the strong warning to the A-G that he would proceed to end the case if they failed to show up. Bishop Daniel Obinim, leader of God's Way International Church, and two of his associate pastors have been accused of assaulting two journalists at an Accra-based radio station, Hot FM.