No witness at Obinim trial

Shadrack Adu, the witness in the trial of Bishop Daniel Obinim, leader of God’s Way International Ministry and his two associate pastors for assaulting two presenters of Accra based Hot FM and vandalizing property at the station, failed to appear in court on Thursday to be cross-examined.

The witness, for the second time, did not appear before an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Abdulai Iddrisu without stating any reason for his inability to be in court.

Samuel Ata Akyea, Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South and counsel for the accused persons suggested that if the witness was not ready to appear in court to be cross examined then his evidence- in-chief could be expunged for the next witness to be called.

However, Rita Doko, Principal State Attorney in the case said it was the accused persons, Obinim, Kingsley Baah and Kofi Akwetey, who said they had changed counsel, so the court consequently gave them ample time to get a new one.

She therefore prayed the court to give the state more time to call Adu to appear before the trial judge.

The case has been adjourned to December 20, 2013.

Shadrack Adu is the producer of ‘Nya Asem Hwe’ programme of the station and was the first to run to the police to lodge a complaint when the alleged attack took place.

Bishop Obinim had been discharged by an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Audrey- Korcuvie Tay only to be rearrested and put before an Accra High Court.

He had been discharged by the Circuit Court when the prosecutor entered nolle prosequi to discontinue the matter only to be rearrested at the court and sent to the Adabraka Police Station where fresh charges were levelled against him.

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.

The vandalized property of the radio station is estimated to be GH¢130,580.00.