Prophet bribes Police

Prophet Elijah Attah Twum-Barimah, General Overseer of the Breakthrough Gate Ministry in Lebanon, a suburb of Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, is in the firm grip of the Tema Regional Police Command for allegedly attempting to bribe a public servant.

Attah Twum-Barimah, a 48-year-old self-styled man of God who doubles as a herbalist, was said to have attempted to give an amount of GH¢7,000 to the public officer to influence him (officer) to release some suspects arrested in connection with the raiding of a warehouse.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Celestine Yevonu, Deputy Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) Coordinator – the policewoman who declined the bribe – was said to have feigned interest in the cash and apprehended the General Overseer of the church. He is currently assisting with investigations.

According to the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sankiri, Prophet Twum-Barimah came to the regional police headquarters after the arrest of four persons, including two policemen, to negotiate with the night duty officer to assist him resolve the issue out of the police station.

The four persons were mentioned as Jahlilu Yahaya, 25, a driver; Bawa Ibrahim, 23; Godwin Atanu, 25 and Stephen Akwasi Djan 25, all drivers’ mates. The names of the policemen, who were stationed at the Community 2 District Police Headquarters, were given as Corporal Kyei Mensah and Corporal Hope Katsekpor. The latter is currently at large.

They were arrested for breaking into Saphods Ventures, a warehouse in the Heavy Industrial Area of Tema and bolted with about 4,000 bags of rice which were loaded onto two Man Diesel trucks with registration numbers GT 5985 R and GR 6477 H.

The Regional Police Commander said Prophet Attah Twum-Barimah, immediately after the arrest of the men that morning, called at the police station and offered the aforementioned amount of money to the officer as an inducement to get the suspects released immediately. She added that the police officer on duty (DSP Yevonu) feigned interest and collected the money for evidential purpose after which she arrested and detained the prophet to assist in investigations.

DCOP Zakpaa Vib-Sankiri seized the opportunity to urge the Divisional and District Commanders to keep an eagle’s eye on the men and the women working under them and make sure that they discharge their duties professionally; the bad must be exposed and expelled from the Police Service.

DCOP Vib-Sanziri commended the night duty officer and the patrol team for their display of professionalism.