Bishop Daniel Obinim, the founder of the International Godsway Church and two of his associate pastors, Kingsley Baah and Solomon Abraham, have been sentenced to fines totaling GHc12,000 for physically assaulting two teenagers.
This was after Bishop Obinim changed his plea to ‘guilty’ after a year of trial.
The Court sentenced him to a fine of GHC4,800, in default six months imprisonment, whilst his associate pastors, who were charged with abetment, were sentenced to a fine of GHC3,600 each, and in default, four months imprisonment.
The Accused persons are also to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for the next 12 months, and in default, 3 months imprisonment.
Bishop Obinim was arraigned before Court for physically assaulting two teenagers, a 14 year old girl and a 16 year old boy who lived with him, in the presence of his congregation.
The facts of the case are that the complainant, Irene Abochie-Nyahe, is a legal practitioner residing at Community 17, Lashibi.
On 17th August, 2017, at about 5:00pm, the Accra Branch of the International God’s Way Church, held a service, at which Bishop Obinim claimed he had a revelation from God that the two victims were engaged in pre-marital sex and the 14-year old girl was pregnant.
Bishop Obinim said the victim was in the process of aborting the pregnancy, therefore, the Holy Spirit had directed him to chastise the teenagers in the presence of the congregation.
In the full glare of the church, Obinim removed his belt and assaulted them.
In the process, his two pastors, Kingsley Baah and Solomon Abraham, prevented the female victim from running away from the said punishment.
According to the Prosecution, the assault only stopped after Bishop Obinim became content with the punishment.
Source GhanaJustice/F.Kyeremateng
