Tabloid News of Friday, 30 September 2005

Source: GNA

Mason burns car of founder of prayer camp for labelling him a wizard

Mankranso (Ash), Sept. 30, GNA - For publicly accusing him of possessing witchcraft, a 36-year-old mason took his revenge on Mr Daniel Twum, founder and leader of Victory Prayer Camp Ministry at Tepa in the Ahafo-Ano North District of Ashanti by burning down his car. Kwadwo Ababio said besides accusing him of possessing witchcraft, Mr Twum had also camped his wife at the prayer camp and succeeded in persuading her and their five-year-old daughter to distance themselves from him.

For burning the car, Ababio was on Tuesday brought before the Mankranso magistrate court where he pleaded guilty and was remanded to re-appear on October 11.

Police Chief Inspector Prosper Yao Aheto told the court presided over by Mr Frank Owusu-Afriyie that at about 0200 hours on September 23, this year, the complainant, Mr Twum, heard an unusual noise at his prayer camp, which also served as his residence. He said when the complainant woke up to check on what was happening, he saw his car, which he parked at the camp ablaze and so raised the alarm but the car could not be salvaged. The prosecution said following a complaint to the Tepa police Ababio was arrested and he admitted during interrogation of committing the crime.

In his defence, the accused said he burnt the car because the complainant had publicly accused him of possessing witchcraft, camped his wife and their daughter and succeeded in persuading them to distance themselves from him.

In an interview with the GNA later, Mr Twum admitted that Ababio's wife, Miss Kate Owusu was at the camp together with her daughter but said the woman was there assisting her sister who was sick and was receiving prayers at the camp.

He said Ababio himself until recently was attending prayers at the camp and was very helpful but denied publicly accusing him (accused) of being a wizard. 30 Sept. 05