The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, has refuted claims that he was drunk when he caused the arrest of the head pastor of Bethel Ministry Church.

Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, on Saturday dawn, reportedly stormed the premises of House of Bethel Ministry church at Anwomaso in Kumasi, with armed policemen to arrest the head pastor.

The arrest was triggered by numerous complaints about excessive noise from the church during all night services in the area.

The pastor, Kwame Takyi, had accused the minister of being under the influence of alcohol when he stormed his church last Saturday.

However, speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive, Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah denied the accusation.

He also denied being a member of the church as being speculated but admitted that he once honored an invitation from the church during one of its annual offering services.

He added that he will never worship with Bethel Ministry church and that if he does, God should strike him dead.

He hinted that prior to the Saturday’s incident, he had sent several caution messages to the church.

“God should strike me dead if I have ever worshipped with the congregation, I had warned them on several occasions and I just could not take it,” he fumed.