Student denies charges in Bishop Obinim GH¢1.5m theft case

A 23-year-old female student, Ohemaa Serwaa Abigail Owusu Ansah, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit theft. The alleged theft involves GH¢1.5 million belonging to Bishop Daniel Obinim, the founder of the International Godsway Church.

Ansah appeared before an Adenta Circuit Court on Friday, where she made her second court appearance. At her initial hearing, the court granted her bail in the amount of GH¢1 million, with two sureties, one of which needed to be of significant value, such as a piece of real estate. However, the court deferred its decision on her plea.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, stated that the accused and the complainant, Bishop Obinim, had a close friendship. On October 13, 2026, Ansah visited Bishop Obinim at his Lakeside residence. After their conversation, Bishop Obinim left for church, and Ansah remained at the house.

The next morning, around 0700 hours, Bishop Obinim noticed that his safe had been broken into, resulting in the theft of GH¢1.5 million. When confronted about the theft, Ansah allegedly informed Bishop Obinim that she had contacted her father's worker, identified as Owusu, who had arranged for two young men to accompany her to the bishop's residence. According to the prosecution, Ansah led these men into the room, showed them the safe, and they subsequently broke it open, stealing the money and fleeing the scene.

Ansah was arrested on October 16, 2026, around 1400 hours, and subsequently brought to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters. During her caution statement, she reportedly admitted to inviting the two men to the bishop's residence with the intent to break into the safe and steal the money. The prosecution mentioned that their investigation is still ongoing.