Pastor in court over destruction of property

Accra Nov. 4, GNA - The leader of Living Testimonies for Jesus Bible Ministry Church and six other members of the Church who were accused of destroying about 17 houses on a parcel of land at Ngleshie Amanform, near Kasoa on Tuesday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Sampson Joe Banning and six others have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, forcible entry, assault and causing damage to properties running into millions of cedis.

They are Daniel Kumadi, Daniel Modocai, Yaw Osei Agyemang, Leonard Okaikoi Ofori, Joseph Yamson and Isaac Osei Mensah.

The court chaired by Mr Anthony Oppong admitted them to a 2.5 billion cedis bail with three sureties to be justified. They are to reappear on November 11.

Meanwhile the court has ordered the arrest of George Lamptey, Francis Kabenka Miah, Christian Yaw Asemda, Sam Ampofo-Ayeh and Daniel Kpakpo, who failed to appear before it.

The facts are that in 1996, the Chiefs and elders of Ngleshie Amafrom leased a parcel of land to the Leader of the church when that area fell within their traditional jurisdiction.

Prosecution said conflicts then arose among the chiefs and people of Weija, Ngleshie Amanfrom, Bortianor and Tuba among others on correct boundaries to their stool lands and this was changed.

Prosecution said the land was, therefore, reverted to the chiefs and people of Weija as the rightful owners. The chiefs of Ngleshie Amanform informed the Leader and Elders of the Church that their previous right or ownership had become extinct.

Prosecution said a letter was written to the Church Leaders and the Lands Commission where the necessary corrections were made and the ownership of the land was placed in the name of Weija Stool. The Weija Stool in turn leased it to prospective developers including the complainants, who had put buildings on the land.

The Church, however, took the Lands Commission to the High Court and Court of Appeal on the title of the land.

In September, this year, Banning and the Elders of the Church met and agreed to pull down various buildings on the land in order to pave way for an educational complex.

On September 24, this year, at about 02:00 hours some of the elders of the Church led about 40 people armed with guns, cutlasses and a bulldozer and pulled down about 17 buildings.

The destruction ended about 07:00 hours amidst jubilation. The church erected signboard depicting victory and their occupation. The Police cut the cerebration short when the accused persons were arrested. 04 Nov.03