Osofo Apraku, Akaboha ‘clash’ in court

THE Agona Swedru High Court was yesterday packed to capacity when people from all- walks of life trooped there to catch a glimpse of the 'Defrocked' Akaboha of the Musama Disco Christo Church (MDCC), Prophet Miritaiah Jonah Jehu-Appiah and Apostle Kwaku Apraku, Founder and Leader of the King Jesus Evangelistic Ministry. The appearance of the two in the same court was described by some among the audience as “The Clash of Osofo Apraku, a.k.a. 'Apraku My Daughter' and Akaboha.”

The 'Akaboha' was in court to open his defense in a much-published case brought against him by the church leadership, which seeks to officially get him removed for allegedly indulging in questionable acts that were said to have brought the name of the Lord and the MDCC into disrepute.

On the other hand, Osofo Apraku appeared before the court after His Lordship, Justice Senyo Dzamefe directed that a bench warrant be issued for his arrest last week, for failing to appear before the court to answer the charges brought against him.

Making his submissions, the counsel for Osofo Apraku, Dr. Kwaku Nsiah pleaded with the court to withdraw the bench warrant against his client and give him time to settle the case amicably.

The Counsel complained bitterly about last week's publication by a national daily, to the effect that his client had said the missing generator, which was at the center of the legal tussle, was the work of dwarfs. According to him, his client had never said dwarfs were the cause of the loss of the generator, as contained in the publication.

He therefore pleaded for an out-of-court settlement of the case, which was granted by the court. It was agreed that after settlement, the outcome be reported to the court on July 27th.

Apraku's predicaments started when in 2002, he hired a generator from Mr. Sam Aduah at Agona Nyakrom, for a crusade in the town at the cost of ¢70,000 per day for three days but allegedly refused to pay for it or replace it when it emerged that the generator was missing.

When it got to the turn of Akaboha to open his defense, his counsel pleaded for adjournment after he (counsel) had finished cross-examining Reverend Begyina, witness for the Church.

The court therefore held the plea of the Akaboha's counsel and adjourned the case to July 11 and 12. However, a cost of ¢2 million was awarded against the defendant.