Four men have been arraigned before the Dansoman Circuit Court, alongside ten others, currently at large, for allegedly launching a violent attack on the Kwabenya Palace.
The incident, which occurred on August 20, 2025, involved firearms, cutlasses, and sacks of empty beer bottles, resulting in extensive property damage and physical assault.
The accused persons presented before the court on Friday are: Philip Addy @ Nii Oshipi – Businessman, Oppong Abdulai – Footballer, Arimeyaw Mumuni – Mechanic, and Eric Nii Aryee Mensah @ Nii Atomic – Mechanic.
They pleaded not guilty to charges including to conspiracy to commit crime – Causing Unlawful Damage, multiple counts of causing unlawful damage, assault and abetment of crime.
Presiding over the case, Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah remanded all four into police custody. This followed a request by the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder, who argued that the case was still under investigation.
He contended that granting bail could result in the accused interfering with investigations or fleeing.
Chief Inspector Wonder also informed the court that the other ten accused persons—who remain at large – are Andrews Ani Attoh – Security Man, Lawrence Okai-Ayitey – Administrator, Arnold Mensah, and Edem Agudu.
The others are; Benjamin Ayikwei Aryee, Jonathan Nii Addy, Isaac Addy Kpani, Theophilus @ Bad Bad, Paa Naa Mensah and Abdul Hamid Ofoli.
He further argued that the life of the complainant would be at risk should the accused be granted bail.
Background of the Incident
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred at the residence of Nii Abbey Okanfra III, the Chief of Kwabenya, who is the first complainant in the case. The second and third complainants are his son and secretary, David Nii Okanja Aryee, and a driver, Prince Leroy Sarkodie.
At approximately 8:00 p.m. on August 20, 2025, a group allegedly led by Eric Nii Aryee Mensah @ Nii Atomic and Arnold Mensah (currently at large) mobilised several individuals—mostly local youth—under the claim that the Chief was secretly installing a Queen Mother.
The group, armed with pump – action guns, cutlasses, and sacks of empty beer bottles, stormed the Palace. Gunshots were fired indiscriminately, and beer bottles were thrown, causing significant destruction.
Damaged properties included CCTV systems valued at GH¢12,800 and Palace glass windows estimated at GH¢5,560.
Two vehicles: an unregistered Honda CR-V and a Toyota Vitz (GR 8839-24). The full cost of vehicle damages is pending assessment by the State Transport Corporation (STC)
During the attack, David Nii Okanja Aryee was reportedly physically assaulted. A subsequent medical examination confirmed injuries consistent with assault.
At the scene, police recovered broken beer bottles and spent BB cartridge shells as evidence.
The four accused have been remanded into custody and the case has been adjourned to September 29, 2025, as police continue efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.
