Stop delay tactics – Obinim’s lawyer slams prosecution

Counsel for Bishop Daniel Obinim, who has been charged for forgery, has slammed the prosecution for employing ‘delay tactics’.

A not-too-happy counsel, Charles Dela Blagogee, made the critique while expressing his disappointment at the prosecution’s request for a longer adjourned date.

The lawyer said his hopes of scrutinizing the prosecution’s evidence against his client has been dashed again because they have failed to present it.

“We can clearly see as practitioners of the law, what the prosecution is trying to do and where this matter is going. We are obliged to play along.

“But if on the next adjourned date, our colleagues from the other side fail to provide evidence that they are bringing to the case, then it won’t be fair to all parties.

“This is the third of fourth time, we are coming to the court on this matter but nothing to show for it,” Counsel for the accused stressed.

He is convinced that the prosecution is simply bent on stressing his client for no reason.

“It is not fair that my client has to wake up with charges on your head all the time,” he added.

The presiding judge, Rosemond Dodua Agyiri, on Monday, agreed to the prosecution’s request and adjourned Obinim’s trial one more time.

The next adjourned date has been fixed for September 9, 2020.

The prosecution was represented by Lawrence Oklu Anane, who was holding brief for ASP Slyvester Asare.

At the last sitting, the police had asked for more time to investigate the Founder of the International God’s Way Church, Bishop Daniel Obinim, who has been charged with forgery.

He was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and charged for the publication of false news and forgery of a document, contrary to sections 208 and 159 of the Criminal and other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) respectively.

This is not the first time Bishop Obinim is standing trial. In 2018, he, together with two of his pastors, stood trial at the Accra Circuit Court for allegedly assaulting his adopted children in the presence of his congregation.

In September, that same year, he was subsequently fined a total of GH¢12,000 for the assault of his children.

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

Prior to his court appearance, the self-styled ‘Angel’ in May 2020, had spent three days in police custody before he was granted a GH₵100,000 bail with three sureties.