Accra, Oct 25

A Pastor and two elders of the Maamobi branch of the Church of Pentecost have appeared before a circuit tribunal in Accra, charged with stealing and causing unlawful damage.

Elder Kofi Boakye Danso, Elder Daniel Manu and Pastor J. B. Ghansah, pleaded not guilty and the tribunal granted each of them, 500,000 cedis bail to re-appear on November one.

Police Inspector Albert Akpey told the tribunal that the Church shares a common boundary at Maamobi with Robert Motors, an auto engineering company.

The prosecution said there is a matter concerning the determination of ownership of the land pending before an Accra Community Tribunal. Inspector Akpey said both parties have also been warned by the tribunal to maintain peace pending the determination of the matter.

However, on August 18, this year, the prosecution alleged the accused ordered their congregation to move away in two vehicles some cement blocks belonging to Robert Motors.

The accused again was alleged to have caused damage to some of the blocks. The prosecution said the value of the blocks packed into the vehicle was two million cedis while the cost of the damaged ones was estimated at 760,000 cedis.

The managing director of Robert Motors reported the matter to the Police. After investigations, Elder Danso allegedly said he ordered the congregation to re-arrange the blocks, which were packed in front of the Church Temple because it was causing "nuisance" to them.