PASTOR GRANTED BAIL FOR DESTROYING IDOLS (MIRROR, PAGE 27, MAY 8, 2010)

From Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga

The Bolgatanga Circuit Court, presided over by Mr William Boampong, has granted bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 to a Bolgatanga-based pastor, Richard Nsoh of the Faith Action Church, for allegedly destroying idols belonging to the family of a female member of the church he had prayed for.
He is facing charges of abetment of crime and causing unlawful damage, while his three accomplices, namely, Lamisi Abire, Sheila Atinga and Michael Abolga, all relatives of the complainant, have been charged with unlawful entry, assault and stealing.
They have also been admitted to GH¢6,000 bail.
They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them and will reappear on May 11, 2010.
The pastor had, on April 12, 2010, been remanded in prison custody at the Navrongo Prison for two weeks to enable the police to conduct investigations into the case
The facts, as presented in court, are that Lamisi and Sheila, both students, fell sick and were sent to the church for deliverance by Abolga.
According to the prosecution, in the course of the prayers, the pastor allegedly revealed to them that the complainant’s idols were responsible for their sickness.
It said the three later went to the complainant and threatened to kill him and when he questioned them, they became offended and assaulted him.
It said not satisfied, the three entered the complainant’s room, picked his idols, an animal skin and cash of GH¢50 and sent them to the pastor at Sirigu, who burnt them to ashes.
A report was later lodged with the police who issued a medical form to the complainant to seek medical attention.