A nonagenarian, Nii Dodoo, has been charged together with 22 others, whose ages range between 19 and 70 years, for engaging in vigilantism, rioting with weapons, and causing unlawful damage at James Town in Accra.
The accused persons standing trial with the 90-year old are, Solomon Adjei (37), William Baah, 24, Yaw Takye, 22, Musah Mutala, 23, Promise Lamptey, 28, Emmanuel Kofi Amponsah Afari, 27, Benjamin Stephens, 29, Nii Akuntuah Kojo, 70, and Acquah Marvin.
The rest are Barnabas Akwasi, 22, Davis Williams, 44, Agyekum William, 36, Yakubu Anthony, 23, Osmanu Fuseini, 34, Emmanuel Akron, 45, Fred Addie, 46, Shadrach Tetteh, 37, Ernest Mills, 27, Logosu John, 29, Samuel Agboyi, 32, Prince Bruce Quaye, at large, and Dr. Albert Botchway, also at large.
With the exception of Prince Bruce Quaye and Dr. Albert Botchway, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them at an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah.
The court has granted Nii Dodoo and Nii Akuntuah Kojo bail in the sum of GH¢50,000.00 with two sureties who must be family members, and remanded the rest into police custody.
It also issued bench warrants for the arrest of Prince Bruce Quaye and Dr. Albert Botchway for absenting themselves from court.
Brief facts
Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maxwell Oppong said there had been a protracted chieftaincy dispute between Nii Ahumah Kojo and Prince Ashiaku Bruce Quaye, a self-style chief, at the Jamestown Ngleshie Paramountcy.
He said on January 15, 2023, Prince Ashiaku Bruce Quaye claimed he had secured a judgement from the court, which grants him access to the Palace.
To achieve his aim, the court was told that Bruce allegedly contracted Dr. Albert Botchway to organise thugs for him to take over the Ngleshie Alata Palace at Jamestown, popularly known as Mantse Agbona.
Dr. Albert Botchway, on the behest of Bruce, allegedly recruited the accused persons, and armed them with cutlasses and guns.
He said the accused persons were clad in white T-shirt with the picture of Prince Ashiaku Bruce Quaye embossed on them, matched with military-style trousers and invaded the Ngleshie Alata community at Jamestown.
The prosecutor stated that without any cause, the accused persons unlawfully entered the drinking spots of Benedicta Dadzie and Harrison Odametey, took alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and began throwing them on the streets and at the occupants of the Palace.
The accused persons also set on fire two Royal motorbikes belonging to Oko and Atter, all witnesses in the case, and a Toyota Corolla with registration number BA 88-22, which owner was yet to be identified.
The police were called in and calm was restored at the Palace, however, in the process some of the accused persons were arrested.
ASP Oppong indicated that a search conducted on Nii Dodoo revealed an offensive weapon, a Jong knife, designed like a walking stick. The police also retrieved a machete from the scene.
On the same day, Sunday, January 15, 2023, the police arrested Shadrach Tetteh and Fred Addae on board a Kia Morning car with a DV number 7965 E at a security check point at Korle-Bu.
He informed the court that the police identified Shadrach and Fred as suspects escaping from the scene at James Town.
The prosecutor said when a search was conducted on Fred Addae the police retrieved one pump action gun, live cartridges and an empty ammunition.
He added that an investigation was ongoing, as well as efforts were being made to arrest Prince Ashiaku Bruce Quaye and Dr. Albert Botchway to assist with investigations.
