PASTOR PAYS COMPENSATION FOR DESTROYING IDOLS (MIRROR, PAGE 27, MAY 15, 2010)

From Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga

The pastor and three others alleged to have destroyed idols in the Upper East Region have agreed to pay compensation to the complainant in the case.
When the case was called last Tuesday, the judge, Mr William Boampong, announced that the case had been struck out following an agreement between the two parties for the payment of GH¢410 as settlement.
Pastor Richard Nsoh of the Faith Action Church and three accomplices, Michael Abolga and two minors (names withheld), were charged by the Bolgatanga Circuit Court for allegedly destroying idols belonging to the family of a female member of the church he had prayed for.
He was facing charges of abetment of crime and causing unlawful damage, while his three accomplices, who are all relatives of the complainant, were charged with unlawful entry, assault and stealing.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
The facts, as presented in court, are that the minors, 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.
A report was later lodged with the police who issued a medical form to the complainant to seek medical attention.