Crime & Punishment of Monday, 10 April 2006

Source: GNA

Pastor in court for abduction

Accra April 10, GNA - A 41-year old Pastor on Monday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly abducting a 17-year-old student. Emmanuel Kofi Tei claimed he had a vision, which informed him that the victim was the one God had chosen to be his better half.

After the said vision, Tei, the founder and leader of Mispah International Church allegedly informed the victim that education was not good for her and as such should abandon it.

But at the Court Tei denied the offence levelled against him and the Court admitted him to a 10 million cedi bail with a surety to reappear again on May 5.

Prosecuting Inspector Isaac A. A. Ahor said the victim lived with her stepfather, Mr Jonathan Tei Mensah at Ayikumah in the Greater Accra Region.

Prosecution said in March 2006, Doris Akumah Tetteh, the victim's aunt got pregnant and was admitted at the accused person's church at Dodowa. Inspector Ahor said at the prayer camp, the victim visited her. In the evening, Tei summoned some people including the victim and informed them that while praying he (accused person) had a vision, which indicated that God had chosen the victim as his wife.

Prosecution said Tei further informed the victim that schooling was not good for her. The victim, who was convinced, stayed on after her aunt had left the prayer camp.

On March 31, this year the Assemblywoman of Ayikuma Electoral Area got wind of it and reported that matter to the Police, who arrested the accused.