Court fines Evangelist for offensive conduct, false publication of news

Francis Awusi, an evangelist and a YouTube host, said to have made false and offensive statements about Prophet Gabriel Akwesi Sarpong, General Overseer of Cross of Miracles International, Accra, has been fined.

The Kaneshie District Court ordered Awusi to pay a fine of GHC 6,000 in default, and serve one-year imprisonment.

The said publications said Prophet Gabriel Akwesi Sarpong (the complainant) was an occult pastor and a murderer who had killed his wife for occultic powers to run his church.

The court ordered Awusi to go to Peace FM, a private radio station, Daily Graphic Newspaper and use his own YouTube channel where he had defamed the complainant and render an apology.

Awusi who was charged with offensive conduct and publication of false news, earlier pleaded not guilty.

However, when sitting resumed today, Awusi who was represented by a lawyer, informed the court that he wanted to change his plea.

Meanwhile, the prosecution had called three witnesses and played three videos at the ongoing trial.
The court presided over by Ms Ama Adomako Kwakye convicted Awusi on his own plea.

His counsel, prayed the court to have mercy on him, saying he was a first offender, married with kids, and was a man of God with huge congregation.

The case of the prosecution led by Detective Chief Inspector Richard Amoah was that the complainant was Prophet Akwesi Sarpong.

The prosecution said the convict was also a host of YouTube channel programme known as “Hell and Heaven” whiles Isaac Gyasi, the second accused, aka K2 Temple, was at large.

It said the complainant reported to the Police that in August 2020, Gyasi whose face was covered with a veil, made certain false and offensive statements about the complainant during a live YouTube TV programme hosted by Awusi.
It said Gyasi alleged among other things that the complainant, Prophet Gabriel Akwesi Sarpong, was an occult pastor and a murderer who had killed his wife for occultic powers to run his church.

The prosecution said Awusi who was hosting the live TV programme also published the pictures and videos of some church activities of the complainant on the screen and had warned the public to stay away from his church.

The prosecution said Awusi was arrested and during investigations, it was established that Awusi hosted the programme with Gyasi as his guest in August 2020.

Awusi also supported the allegations made against the complainant by showing pictures and videos of the complainant on the YouTube channel on the internet.

The prosecution said Awusi admitted the offence and explained that he only interviewed Gyasi who was brought on his programme by his producer and that he did not know Gyasi personally.