What caused the shooting of Adwoa Safo? Kristo Asafo lawyer reveals

Lawyer for the Kristo Asafo Mission, Nana Kofi Kantanka, has alleged that former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo fired the first shot during an incident that disrupted the formal introduction of the church’s newly installed leader.

Speaking on JoyNews on Sunday, June 21, Nana Kofi Kantanka said the gathering had been organised to officially present the church's new leader to members of the General Council, the body that represents the wider membership of the Kristo Asafo Mission.

Responding to reports of gunfire at the event, the lawyer claimed that Adwoa Safo arrived at the venue and attempted to gain entry by driving her vehicle through the premises' gates.

According to him, attendees initially heard loud noises which were later discovered to have come from a vehicle crashing into the southern gate of the property.

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He alleged that Adwoa Safo was inside the vehicle and, after failing to gain access through the southern entrance, proceeded to the northern gate, where a similar incident reportedly occurred.

Nana Kofi Kantanka further claimed that private security personnel stationed at the venue became concerned about the safety of attendees, given the large crowd gathered for the event.

"The information I got was that she fired the first shot and then banged the gate with her car. The private security also knew that the lives of people were at risk, so they were giving warning shots," he said.

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The lawyer, however, stated that he could not independently confirm reports that Adwoa Safo sustained injuries during the incident.

"As to whether she was wounded, I can't confirm that," he added.

He also dismissed claims that the former legislator had been denied entry to the ceremony, insisting that she would have been allowed access had she followed the normal entry procedures.

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"No one prevented her from entering. If she had parked and indicated she wanted to enter, that would have been all," he stated.

According to Nana Kofi Kantanka, the matter is currently under investigation, with both state security agencies and church authorities expected to establish the facts surrounding the confrontation.

"We [Church] will also conduct our private investigation, and anybody who has perpetrated any wrongdoing will be prosecuted," he said.

His comments come after reports emerged that Adwoa Safo was receiving medical treatment following an alleged shooting incident near the residence of her brother, Israel Kwadwo Safo, popularly known as Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, amid ongoing tensions over the leadership succession of the Kristo Asafo Mission.