Advertisement

Some of the supporters took to their heels after police scared them off with water canon. Picture: SAMUEL TEI ADANO
Some of the supporters took to their heels after police scared them off with water canon. Picture: SAMUEL TEI ADANO

Obinim’s supporters clash with police

The police yesterday used water cannons to disperse defiant members of the International God’s Way Church (IGWC) and other sympathisers who had besieged the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to demand the release of their spiritual leader, Bishop Daniel Obinim.

Some of the members of the church and the sympathisers, who had previously kept vigil within the precincts of the Nima Police Station, where Bishop Obinim had been detained on Tuesday night, started trooping to the CID Headquarters where the Bishop was later sent yesterday for further interrogation.

By 9 a.m., the frontage of the CID Headquarters was overflowing with the members of the church, resulting in vehicular traffic there.

And when the members of the church refused to heed appeals by the police to relocate from the area, the police resorted to the use of the water cannons to drive them away towards the Arko Adjei Interchange and mounted a barricade to prevent them from getting back.

As of the time the Daily Graphic left the CID Headquarters yesterday, Bishop Obinim was still being interrogated, while his supporters hurled invective at the police and hooted at them as well. 

They addressed Bishop Obinim as “Angel Obinim”.

Some of them shouted and made comments such as: “Obinim is our saviour and so if he sleeps here, we will also sleep here”; “We need Obinim now”; and “Leave Obinim alone”.

Some supporters of Prophet Obinim chanting songs in solidarity of their leader. Picture: SAMUEL TEI ADANO

 Fraud allegations 

The General Overseer of the IGWC, who had been interrogated by the Tema Regional Office of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service last Tuesday for flogging two young adult members of his church, was handed over to the CID Headquarters for investigation for allegedly defrauding someone to the tune of GH¢11.6 million.

 In a rather defiant manner, the members of the church picketed at the entrance of the CID Headquarters and were resolved to stay there until their leader was released.

Political angle

Events took a political twist when the aggrieved picketers started calling on President John Mahama to intervene to set their leader free or risk losing their votes in the December 7 polls.

One of them, who gave her name as Celestine Amoah, said Bishop Obinim was a victim of politics in the fold of the clergy and that they would stand by him in all situations.

“Obinim is a real man of God. He has been a benefactor for many people and stands tall among the clergy but some people just want to paint him black. But God will punish all saboteurs,” she added.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the CID Headquarters, ASP Joseph Darkwa, said investigations into the allegations were ongoing and that the public would be notified of the outcome.

 Scores of followers of Prophet Daniel Obinim who besieged the Police Headquarters in solidarity with their bishop. Picture: SAMUEL TEI ADANO

Background

Since last week, Bishop Obinim has been in the news following his public flogging of two young adults in his church whom he accused of allegedly engaging in fornication.

He responded to public criticism of his action, describing all critics as lacking wisdom of the fact that his action was in compliance with an order by God to crack the whip on children in order to shape them.

Last night Mr Atta Akyea, lawyer for Bishop Obinim, told the Daily Graphic that his client had not been granted bail and that he was going to apply to the court for bail for Bishop Obinim

 

 

Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |