Obinim’s 'forgery' accomplices identified, one more at large

The prosecution in the forgery case against the Head Pastor of the International God's Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim has told the court that efforts are being made to arrest three other alleged accomplices connected to the case.

According to the prosecutor, Sergeant Richard Asamoah the defence counsel was collaborating with the prosecution to arrest the three accomplices who are on the run and arraign them before the court.

At the hearing Monday, October 12, 2020, the defence counsel, Mr Dela Blagogee said his team has cooperated with the police and that they knew the whereabouts of two out of the three accomplices.

He added that once the third accomplice was arrested, due processes will be followed for the police to further arraign them.

The court, presided over by Ms Rosemond Dodua Agyiri further adjourned the case to November 16, 2020.

Charges

Bishop Daniel Obinim was initially standing trial on charges of publication of false news and forgery.

However, in September 2020, the prosecution withdrew the charges and slapped him, together with one Kwabena Otchere, with conspiracy to publish false news, conspiracy to forge other documents, publication of false news and forgery of other documents.

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Arrest

Obinim was picked up by the police on an arrest warrant issued by the court on May 19, 2020.

He was sent to court and granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000, with three sureties, one to be justified.

According to the police, Obinim is also under investigation for other offences leveled against him.

Brush with the law

This is not the first time that Obinim has had a brush with the law.

In 2018, he, together with two of his pastors, stood trial at the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly assaulting his adopted children — a 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy — in the presence of his congregation.

They were, in September of that same year, subsequently fined a total of GH¢12,000 for the assault on the two teenagers at a church service held in August 2016.

Again in August 2016, Obinim was arrested by the Tema Regional Police for allegedly defrauding a man of GH¢11.6 million.