Sogakope, July 23, GNA - A Pastor of Jesus Miracle Group, at Ahiatrogah Kope near Dabala in the Volta Region and his assistant who allegedly manhandled a 70-year old widow for being a witch were on Thursday arraigned before a magistrate's court at Sogakope for assault. Pastor Elijah Awadu, 30, of Afife near Akatsi, and Dominic Aglago his assistant, pleaded not guilty and were remanded until August 2 this year.
Mr Kwame Nanevi, an Inspector of Police at Dabala told the court presided over by Mrs Ivy Heward-Mills that Pastor Awadu lived and run a prayer camp at Ahiatrogah Kope, while the victim a farmer resided at nearby Agorhome.
He said on July 4, this year, Awadu held a prayer and fasting programme at his camp supposedly to cast out evil spirits during which he claimed he saw the victim as a witch in a vision and that she was responsible for the bad economic situation of the people in the area. Mr Nanevi said the accused also claimed seeing the widow in the process of bewitching a lady at that moment then rushed to Madam Rose Awadzige (the alleged witch's) house at Agorhome with Aglago. He said Awadu, who had caused a number of trees to be felled at Agorhome claiming they were feasting grounds for witches then attacked and forced Madam Awadzige to confess to witchcraft.
Mr Nanevi said Awadu assisted by Aglago tied Madam Awadzige's hands, stripped her naked and dragged her to the centre of the village where they subjected her to severe beatings in the full glare of the community.
He said the victim was further dragged naked to the roadside amidst further flogging until her daughter returned from the farm and forcibly clothed her shortly before the police arrived following a tip-off. Mr Nanevi said the police then rushed the victim to the Sogakope District Hospital where she was treated for fatigue and bruises.
