Bishop Daniel Obinim
Controversial pastor Daniel Obinim, founder of the International God’s Way Church (IGWC), has denied reports that he has fired one of his lawyers, Ralph Poku-Adusei.
The beleaguered pastor, in an interview with Accra-based Starr FM, yesterday said he had only appointed an additional lawyer to represent him on matters relating to recent charges levelled against him which is before a Kaneshie District Court.
He noted that Ralph Poku-Adusei still represents him in several of his other cases pending in court.
“I have not fired my lawyers and I won’t do that for any reason. Ralph Poku-Adusei, from Zoe Akyea & Co Chambers, has represented me for so many years now. How can I do that?” Obinim said.
“He is still deeply engaged and involved in all my matters. The new lawyers are in after Ralph Poku-Adusei had worked very hard to take me to the police headquarters and secured my release on bail last two weeks. The decision to involve the new lawyers is for strategic reasons that I do not want to make public and that has come about taking into consideration the entire circumstances of the present case,” he said.
Obinim has been charged with publication of false news, as well as forgery of a document contrary to Sections 208 and 159 of the Criminal and other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The prosecution led by ASP Sylvester Asare last Monday told the court that they were ‘far advanced’ with their investigations into the matter and prayed the court to adjourn the case to give them more time to put final touches to the work done so far.
He said the prosecution had agreed with the defence team to return on June 29, 2020, but the court presided over by Magistrate Rosemond Agyiri said the accused was already on bail and asked the parties to decide on a different date by which time the prosecution would be ready.
The court and the parties then agreed to return on July 20, 2020.
By Gibril Abdul Razak