Obinim tape fails to play in court again

The trial of Bishop Daniel Obin­im, founder of Godsway Internation­al Ministry, and his two associate pas­tors for allegedly assaulting a panel and vandalising the property of Hot FM, an Accra-based radio station, resumed Tuesday in an Accra High Court after a two-month break.

However, the case had to be adjourned because the tape believed to contain recordings of the smashing of glasses by the bishop and his associate pastors, Kingsley Baah and Kofi Akwetey, at the radio station, failed to play in court.

The state attorney in the matter consequently prayed that the case be adjourned so that they would get the tape to play.

The same tape had earlier failed to play at the last hearing and the case had to be adjourned.

The case was again adjourned to October 31, 2014. The bishop and his associate pastors, as well as a few friends and sympathisers, were in court. Samuel Atta Akyea with his co- counsel Joseph Awakpasa represent­ed the accused persons.

The investigator in the case, Detective Inspector Bismark Adu Gyamfi, is testifying before the court in the incident that happened in 2011.

The witness in his examination in chief, led by state attorney Rita Doko, at the last hearing stated that a voice of the pastor could be heard on the tape saying, 'aden tina mo sei nipa din sa?'—meaning, 'why are you tarnishing people's reputation?'

The crowbar said to have been used by Obinim was tendered in court at the last hearing.

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-Commissioned Officer at the Adabraka Police Station where the case was initially reported.

The investigator, who also ten­dered pictures of the broken glasses smashed by the three suspects, said the suspects 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, which he also tendered to the court in evidence.

The accused persons reportedly vandalised property, including transmitters and amplifiers, to the tune of Ghc130,580.

Kwame Ntim Katakyie, host of the programme at Hot Fm, had also testified in the trial.

He told the court that Obinim held the crowbar in his hand and tried to hit him; and in an attempt to grab it, he was overpowered and hit by the bishop.

The suspects have been charged with unlawful entry, causing unlawful damage, conspiracy to commit assault, assault and three additional counts.

They denied any wrongdoing and have been granted bail to the sum of GHC 10,000 with sureties.