Collars and Cuffs: Some prominent Ghanaian pastors who have had brushes with the law

They came bearing the Word of God, but some also bore fraud, fake documents and guns.

Over the past decade, a growing list of high-profile men and women of God have traded pulpits for police stations, reminding the country that anointing oils cannot protect against arrest warrants.

Here are some popular Ghanaian preachers who have ever been arrested by the police.

Bishop Daniel Obinim

Daniel Obinim, also known as Angel Obinim, is the Founder of the International God's Way Church, and one of the most controversial figures in Ghanaian religious news.

His first major brush with the law came in August 2016, when a viral video showed him publicly flogging two young members of his church he accused of fornication, leading to an unwanted pregnancy.

He was subsequently arrested and later fined.

In 2020, Obinim was again arrested on a warrant issued by the court and charged with the offence of publication of false news and forging of documents contrary to Sections 208 and 159 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

An Accra Magistrate Court granted him bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with three sureties.

'I slept on a student mattress' — Nana Agradaa shares prison experience

Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah

In September 2021, the General Overseer of Glorious Word Power Ministries International, Rev Isaac Owusu Bempah, and six others were arrested on grounds of issuing threats, brandishing weapons, and alleged assault on police officers at his church premises.

The confrontation was linked to a feud with Evangelist Patricia Oduro Koranteng, formerly known as Nana Agradaa.

Even after being granted bail, he was re-arrested in November 2021 as prosecutors prepared fresh charges, including threats of death and conduct likely to breach the peace.

Patricia Asiedu Asiamah (Nana Agradaa)

Patricia Asiedu Asiamah, widely known as Nana Agradaa, landed in legal trouble in October 2022 after being arrested over allegations of a televised money-doubling scheme in which followers were promised miraculous financial returns.

In 2025, she was found guilty of defrauding victims through false pretences and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

On appeal, her sentence was reduced to 12 months, and she was released in March 2026, after serving just eight months.

'I slept on a student mattress' — Nana Agradaa shares prison experience

Pastor Love

Pastor Love (Emmanuel Akwasi Boakye), gospel musician-turned-pastor and former husband of gospel artiste Obaapa Christy, was arrested in 2017 after a US-based Ghanaian reported him to authorities for failing to deliver a vehicle he had been tasked to clear and sell on the owner's behalf.

The matter dragged through the courts, and in October 2024, he was sentenced to 48 months in prison.

Prophet Fire Oja

Prophet Jedidiah Henry Kore, popularly known as Fire Oja, is the Founder and leader of Zion Prayer Ministries International.

In 2026, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service arrested and charged Fire Oja for making defamatory statements and issuing threats against veteran musician Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah, known professionally as Mzbel.

The arrest followed a formal complaint lodged by Mzbel concerning a viral social media video in which Fire Oja made claims about the singer's health plus threats and attacks on her integrity and mental well-being.

Mzbel confirmed that Fire Oja was invited by the police, arrested, and interrogated for 48 hours.

In all, these arrests mean one thing, for Ghanaians, and the message is becoming harder to ignore: the anointing may be real, but so are the handcuffs.

ID/AE

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