A Circuit Court in Tokor, within the Ketu South District of the Volta Region, has remanded Reverend Gilbert Korney, a 42-year-old pastor of the Apostles Revelation Society (ARS) headquarters in Tadzewu, into police custody on charges of causing harm.
Alongside him, Raymond Wovenu, a 52-year-old businessman, and Harry Atsu Wovenu, 36, both sons of the High Priest of ARS at Dzodze, Nyeenyami Etse Wovenu, were also remanded.
Other individuals involved in the case include Mathew Lartey, a 31-year-old farmer, and Otto Tormetsi, 89, and Victor Dzisenu, 80, who served as security personnel for the church.
According to the prosecutor, Chief Inspector McRae Pomevor, the incident occurred on August 10, 2024, when a police team, led by Superintendent Eric Vondee, the acting Dzodze District Police Commander, and ASP James Anaman, Ketu Divisional Motor Transport and Traffic Department Commander, arrived in Tadzewu.
The 32 police officers were dispatched in response to a request from ARS leadership to provide security for a delegates’ conference.
Upon arrival at the ARS premises, the police were met with resistance from approximately 20 supporters of the High Priest, including the accused.
They had locked all gates to the church compound, preventing church members from entering the conference venue. The situation escalated as the accused and their associates allegedly attacked police officers and civilians using stones, petrol bombs, and catapults.
One of the attackers, identified as Mathew, threw a stone that struck Detective Sergeant Edward Quansah, causing severe dental injuries.
The suspects also targeted vehicles, including a Nissan Pathfinder and a Toyota Hilux belonging to one of the conference organizers. Both vehicles sustained significant damage, with petrol bombs igniting in the Hilux’s cargo area, burning the leather cover.
As the confrontation intensified, the accused rang the church bell to summon locals to the scene. During the commotion, Mathew attempted to shoot ASP Anaman with a catapult but missed, hitting a bystander, Kudjoe Hadza, who suffered serious injuries.
Chief Insp Pomevor stated, “Some of these stones and petrol bombs hit the complainant’s vehicle, Toyota Hilux, with registration number GC 7669–20 causing extensive damage to the left windscreen, the fender, and the left side passenger door. Some of the petrol bombs also landed in the bucket of the said vehicle burning the leather used to cover the bucket.”
The prosecution again noted that the “accused also rang the church bell to draw the town folks to the scene when the police tried to drive their vehicles to safety to prevent further damage.”
Following the altercation, the police withdrew and reported the incident at the Dzodze Police Station. Four individuals were subsequently arrested, and two others later turned themselves in, accompanied by their lawyer, Jonathan Adzokpe.
The court, presided over by Mr. Joseph Ofosu Behome, heard that several suspects remain at large, and investigations are ongoing. The remanded suspects are scheduled to appear again on October 9, 2024.
Founded in 1939, the ARS is known for integrating African values into its religious practices. Since the passing of its founder, Mawu fe Ame Charles Kwablavi Nutornti Wovenu, the church has been plagued by leadership disputes, which have sparked multiple conflicts, including the current legal case.