Graphic journalist lied; we only pampered her - Badu Kobi’s Church

Dela Russel Ocloo, a Senior Reporter with the Daily Graphic Newspaper was literally pampered by members of the Glorious Wave International Church headed by controversial preacher Prophet Badu Kobi, the management has said.

According to them in reaction to reports of an assault on the journalist, her account is in sharp contrast of what really transpired calling on her to retract what they call lies as well as render an unqualified written apology for attempting to bring the name of the church to disrepute.

“We again emphasize that at no point in time did any single member of the Glorious Wave Church International ever engage in any physical exchange with Madam Russell Ocloo. In effect, she did not follow basic journalistic practice by identifying herself as a present for the purpose of following up on a story as was claimed.” They revealed in a statement.

The journalist was arrested last Sunday after being harassed at Headquarters of the church while covering a demonstration dubbed ‘1000 women march’ by a group of women over misogynistic comments made by Badu Kobi about Ashanti, Ewe and Fanti women.

According to her, she was nearly lynched by irate church members of the founder, Prophet Emmanuel Badu Kobi and feels traumatized by the whole event.

“The incident was the most traumatic experience I have ever had. The sight of the church members that formed a mob around me while pulling my handbag to retrieve my mobile phone was terrifying. The flashes of the woman who wielded a club with nails in it and gestured towards me in an attempt to hit me was the breaking point for me. But I thank God for the courage and the wisdom which saved the day for me from being lynched”, she revealed.

She adds “to all who reached out to me both publicly and privately, I have seen your messages, Facebook tags, telephone calls etc. I will return your calls and messages at the appropriate time. I have sought medical attention and will go through another phase tomorrow God willing so as to determine the way forward. My employers, the Graphic Group and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) would communicate the next line of action in the ensuing days. Thanks for the prayers and well wishes. God bless us all.”