Nigerian pastor beats up female colleague

A 30-year-old Nigerian Pastor Elijah Efferiam, was on Friday remanded into prison custody by the Takoradi Circuit Court for assaulting a fellow woman clergy from his country. The complainant, Reverend Blessing Praise is the General Overseer and Founder of All Nations Evangelistical Mission. The accused who pleaded not guilty will reappear on January 24. Police Sergeant Bernard Annor told the court presided over Mr Kwasi Boakye that the accused was brought from Nigeria by Rev Praise to head the Takoradi branch of the church in November last year. The prosecutor said Rev Praise left Ghana that same month back to Nigeria to join her husband for some time and returned to Takoradi on December 28. Sgt Annor said when the complainant came back to Ghana, she was informed by her landlady and some church members about the alleged immoral behaviour of Pastor Efferiam. These include charging of GH¢50 before praying for people who consulted him. He said the accused also proposed marriage to some pretty female members of church. Sgt Annor said the most embarrassing moment was when Pastor Efferriam allegedly bent down to look at the private part of the daughter of his landlady when she was urinating. He said when Rev Praise asked the accused about the accusations levelled against him, he did not give any tangible explanations. Sgt Annor said the complainant asked the accused to run errands for her, which he refused, resulting in a scuffle. In the process, Pastor Efferiam hit Rev Praise in the eye and forehead resulting in a swollen eye and other minor injuries. Sgt Annor said the complainant reported the incident to the police leading to the arrest of the accused who was arraigned.