Obinim and his pastors posing for the cameras in court yesterday
Controversial man of God Bishop Daniel Obinim, founder of the International God’s Way Church, yesterday narrowly escaped arrest when he failed to appear before an Accra Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Court.
‘Angel’ Obinim (as he terms himself) was expected to appear before the court in the case in which he and two other pastors have variously been charged for flogging two members of the church.
The other accused persons are, Pastors Kingsley Baah and Solomon Abraham.
The two have been slapped with charges of abetting their senior pastor to abuse the two victims.
Bishop Obinim is reported to have on August 17 this year, at Ashaley Botwe in Accra, unlawfully and physically abused one Elliasu Obinim, 16 and Gyesiwaah Obinim, 14, his said adopted children, in front of the congregation.
Arrest Obinim
However, when the case was due for hearing, neither ‘Angel’ Obim, his other pastors nor his lawyer, Raphael Opoku Adusei, was in court.
This compelled the trial judge, Mrs. Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku, to issue a bench warrant for his immediate arrest; and adjourned hearing until December 13, 2016.
Minutes after the hearing had ended, the lawyer appeared in the court without his clients, urging it to rescind the warrant.
He had argued that the accused person was on his way to the court but the case was adjourned.
Obinim Freed
When the case was recalled at about 11:30 am, Mr Raphael Opoku Adusei, while apologizing profusely to the court, said his client was stuck in traffic, an excuse Mrs. Adjin-Doku viewed as pedestrian.
According to the judge, in order for her to avoid the trappings of the traffic, she leaves her residence at 6:30 am for work every day, wondering why the accused persons could not do same.
The bench warrant was however, rescinded and the case was adjourned.
Drama
In an unusual twist of events, Obinim invited journalists who were lurking around for the opportune time to take photographs, to approach him and take shots of him.
He had told the journalists in Twi while busily chewing his usual gum, to come closer for the shots they wanted.
In a short address, he said he would continue to be a subject for police invitations because he was not ready to stop speaking the truth.
He maintained that like Apostle Paul, arrests are not new to him.
The accused persons are currently admitted on a GH¢10,000 bail each with one surety, one to be justified.
Earlier, DSP Abraham Annor had told the court that the victims live with Bishop Obinim in his residence in Accra and that on the day of the incident the Accra branch of the church had a service where the man of God claimed that he had a revelation from God and that the two were engaged in pre-marital sex, resulting in Gyesiwaah becoming pregnant.
The police officer stated that Bishop Obinim further indicated that he was directed by the Holy Spirit to chastise them in front of the general congregation and subjected the two to serious beatings with his black waist leather belt in the full glare of the congregation.
The prosecution stated that Obinim was assisted by pastors Kingsley and Solomon.
He argued that Kingsley held the victim and prevented her from running away while the bishop continued beating her, adding that the girl in the process could not bear the pain and therefore sought refuge with the wife of Obinim, Mrs. Florence Obinim; but he ordered the wife to stay aside, which she did.
DSP Annor indicated that Solomon then brought back Gyesiwaah for his master to continue beating her.
By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson
jeffdegraft44@yahoo.com
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