Obinim tape finally plays in Court

The tape on which alleged vandalizing of the property of Hot Fm, an Accra-based radio station, could be heard – which is alleged to have been carried out by Bishop Daniel Obinim and his two associate pastors – has been finally tendered in an Accra high court.

It was played in a court presided over Justice Abdulai Iddrisu, who is trying the pastor and the pastors for allegedly vandalizing the property of the said radio station after purportedly assaulting panelists on a programme at the studio.

The tendering of the tape brought the evidence of Detective Inspector Bismark Adu-Gyamfi, the investigator, to an end.

He would be cross-examined by Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for Obinim and his associate pastors, Kingsley Baah and Kofi Akwetey.

The witness was asked by counsel for the accused persons how many years he had been a police officer, to which he responded that he had been in the service for over 10 years.

The case has been adjourned to November 7, 2014

The witness, in his examination-in-chief, stated that the voice of the pastor could be heard on the tape saying, “Aden nti na mo sei nipa din saa? (To wit: “Why are you tarnishing people’s images”)? The crowbar said to have been used by Obinim, founder of Godsway International Ministry, has already been tendered in court.

The investigator had explained that the said crowbar was not found at the scene of the crime but was later handed over to him by the counter non-commission officer at the Adabraka Police Station, where the case was initially reported.

Inspector Adu-Gyamfi also tendered pictures of the smashed glasses believed to have been broken by the three suspects, who allegedly stormed the studios where the programme, “Nya Asem Hwe” was being aired.

The witness told the court he took pictures of the said crime scene.

The accused persons reportedly vandalized property including transmitters and amplifiers, estimated to cost Ghc130,580.

Kwame Ntim Katakyie, host of the programme, had testified in the trial.

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 Ghc10,000 with two sureties.