The police in Tema have warned they will take action against Bishop Daniel Obinim if he does not honour their invitation within 24 hours.

This comes after the Founder of International God’s Way Church refused to honour an invitation by the police. The controversial pastor is facing arrest after he publicly lashed two young adults in his church.

He was widely condemned after a video showing him whipping the two for fornicating surfaced.

The Bishop removed his belt, whipped the young man and his girlfriend, both of whom are said to be his adopted children and later invited one of his right-hand men to join in the whipping, on Wednesday, August 17.

The congregation is heard in the video cheering the Bishop on while he whipped the two. The pastor in justifying the act said the action which he claimed is biblical was to instill discipline in the teenagers.

Related: “I know the law” – Obinim calls the bluff of lawyers

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur reported the matter to the Tema Regional Police and charged the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVSSU) to take over the matter.

According to Adom News reporter Kwame Yankah, the Tema Police visited the residence of the pastor in Tema on Thursday, August 18 but met his absence.

They were assured by elders of his church that Bishop Obinim would report at the regional Command but he did not show up, Yankah reported.

 As at midday on Sunday, August 21, Bishop Obinim had still not reported to the police, prompting the issuance of the ultimatum.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu and two others have filed suits against the pastor seeking to have the bishop arrested and prosecuted for his conduct.

Related:Francis Xavier, others, drag Obinim to court

Mothers of the two adolescents whipped by the pastor in the video which has gone viral have supported the action by the bishop. 

Madam Akua Bempomaa

The mother of the young girl said to have been impregnated by her boyfriend and later aborted it, Akua Bempomaa has threatened to invoke curses on persons calling for the pastor’s arrest.

Related: I will curse anyone who calls for Obinim’s arrest - Mother of flogged girl.