Rev. Owusu-Bempah
The Accra Regional Police Command yesterday arrested one of the actors in the attack on the Odorkor branch of the Glorious Word Power Ministries International Church of Reverend Isaac Owusu-Bempah.
The suspect was marched to the police by an aide to the National Chief Imam following the incident.
Information reaching DAILY GUIDE indicates that upon the suspect’s arrival at the Regional Police Command, he was made to go through the formalities of an arrest, to wit the writing of a statement, after which he was transferred to the Police Headquarters.
As at the time of filing this report a bail was being sought for the suspect.
DAILY GUIDE can confirm that the police are on the heels of other persons whose images were shared on social media.
Meanwhile, the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu has condemned the destructive action of a section of angry Muslim youth on the premises of the cleric’s church at Odorkor in Accra.
The condemnation of the action of the youth came on the heels of an earlier call for calm by the Chief Imam who said matters of death belong to God and not man.
The pastor’s prophecy on the eve of New Year was not taken kindly by not only some Muslims but others outside the faith who found the prophecy about death one too many especially at this time of the year.
The Chief Imam’s spokesman, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, has dissociated the cleric from the action of the youth evidenced by his aide turning in one of the suspects to the law enforcement agency.
“The action by the youth has not received Sheikh’s endorsement. He is not aware of it and he has not mandated anybody to act in that manner. So he is calling on all the Muslim youth to stop whatever they are doing.
He, however, added that religious leaders should desist from making statements that can disturb the peace in the country.
“Sheikh is also worried that prophets such as Owusu-Bempah should also be careful if they are compelled by the spirits to come and tell the world about someone’s death. If it will disturb the peace of the country, it’s better they do not come out to say it.”
The National Council of Zongo Chiefs has also joined in the condemnation of the pastor’s death prophecy in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Is-Hak Naaba Sigrie.
“Prophesying the death of someone is like threatening that person with death which constitutes an infringement on their human rights,” the Council said.
It called on Parliament to consider passing a law that would regulate the activities of misguided religious elements.
In a related development, the pastor’s church has been put under police protection as a precautionary measure.
By A.R. Gomda