Akaboha jailed for contempt

Agona Swedru (C/R), July 25, GNA - The Agona Swedru High Court, presided over by Justice Senyo Dzamefe has sentenced Prophet Dr Miritiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah, Akaboha III and General Head of the Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC), to seven days' imprisonment for contempt. The Reverend Samuel Diona Hope Koufie, suspended General Secretary of the Church and the Reverend J. J. Oppong-Boateng, who were in the dock with him were fined two million cedis each, while the Reverend Mordna Motta Jehu-Appiah was acquitted and discharged for lack of evidence.

The facts of the case were that the General Head was suspended by the Elders of the Church following a rape case and other charges of immorality against him.

The Agona Swedru High Court upheld the suspension pending the determination of the substantive case.

However, the Akaboha III organised an annual refresher course known as "Finusifim" for Pastors, Prophets and Junior Workers of the church in spite of the injunction.

The Reverend J. K. Addae, Chairman of a five-member committee set up to steer the affairs of the Church until the determination of the case wrote to invite members but Prophet Jehu-Appiah also ordered the suspended General Secretary to invite participants to attend the Finusifim.

This led to confusion at Gomoa Mozano, Headquarters of the Church and Rev Addae informed the court.

On 29 April 2003, the court placed the injunction but the Akaboha went ahead to organise the course for some members. Rev Addae then gave instruction to Lawyer W. A. N.

Adumuah-Bossman to file contempt proceedings against the suspended General Head. The counsel for Akaboha pleaded with the court to convert the sentence into a fine but to no avail.