The Police are on the hunt for more accomplices in the case in which some four persons have been arraigned in connection with Christ Embassy Church’s ‘Pneumatica Night’ concert.
In court on Monday when the accused persons made their second appearance, the Prosecution said more accomplices are being looked for and prayed the Court not to take their plea on the count relating to failing to comply with restrictions imposed.
Background
The Circuit Court in Accra presided over by Her Honour Madam Ellen Offei Ayeh on May 7 granted bail in a combined sum of GHc320,000 to the four persons.
The accused persons are Alex Asomani, Wilson Delali and Agyeman Kumi Nutifafa who are members of the Christ Embassy Church were granted bail in the sum of GHc80,000 with two sureties each.
One of the sureties the court said should be a public/civil servant earning not less than GHc1400.
The fourth person, Edmond Dapaaah, who is the facility manager at the Fantasy Dome was also granted GHc80,000 bail with two sureties, one of the sureties to be a public or civil servant.
The three members of the Christ Embassy Church pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit crime namely failing to comply with restrictions imposed contrary to Section 23 (1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29 and Section 6 of the Imposition of Restrictions 2020 (Act 1012) and regulation 1 of EI.135/2021.
While Edmond Depaah was slapped with the charge of Abatement.
The plea on the charge relating to failing to comply with restrictions imposed was reserved as the court directs the prosecution to amend it because it is defective.
The court admitted them to bail after their respective lawyers prayed that, they be granted bail while the prosecution led by Chief Inspector Simon Appiorsornu did not oppose.
The accused persons were Nana Banyin Arhin and Jerry Avenorgbo.
Brief facts
The facts as presented to the court by Chief Inspector Simon Appiorsornu were that police gathered intelligence that the youth wing of Christ Embassy Church, Ghana had organized an all-night service dubbed “Pneumatic Night” at the Fantasy Dome within the Trade Fair Center without obeying COVID-19 safety protocols.
According to him, video footage of the said church service was also cited on various social media platforms, and in the video, it was observed that the congregants were not wearing face or nose masks.
He told the court that, upon the intelligence gathered, police proceeded to the Trade Fair Center where the head of security of the center in the person of Justice Tuuru Konlan was met.
The prosecutor said the security confirmed to Police that the Christ Embassy Church organized the said programme on April 30, 2021, at about 8:00 pm at the Fantasy Dome within the Trade Fair Center and closed on May 1, 2021, in the morning.
The prosecutor added that the Management of the Fantasy Dome did not officially inform the Management of Trade Fair Center about the said programme.
Investigations
The prosecutor said, Police conducted an inspection within the Fantasy Dome as well as the Round Pavilion.
“Upon the measurement of the intervals between the arranged chairs, it was observed that the one-meter rule of social distancing between congregants was not observed.
“Also, there was no fresh air ventilation and that the church relied on air conditioners,” he said
Also, he said further inquiries revealed that the programme exceeded the maximum two-hour duration.
On May 6, 2021, Asomani, Wilson Agyeman, Nutifafa, all members of the Christ Embassy Church who were the
Organizers of the all-night church service were arrested by the Police.
He said the facility manager of the Fantasy Dome was also arrested by the police for questioning,
In their investigation cautioned statements, Chief Inspector Apiorsornu said the accused persons could not give any tangible reasons for flouting the COVID-19 protocols.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
