About forty members of the activist group, Democracy Hub, were arraigned at the Accra Circuit Court on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage and assault on a public officer.
The accused appeared in groups of four before Judges Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah and Evelyn Adamoah on September 25, 2024.
The first group included Raphael Afful Williams, Razak Suleman, Gerald Delim, Comrad Abubakar Sadeeq, Bilal Mohammed, Ebenezer Ankomanyi Okyere, Norgbedzi Kelvin, Priscilla Tobili, Mohammed King Hassan and Tanko Nabong, aka Black Pyramid.
The second group included Kingsley Asiedu, Seth Coffie, Vera Gloria Louis, Nii Quaye Hammond, Dela Quarshie, Manuel Barsar Biney, Dorsese Joseph, Agbevi Mathias and Ernest Acheampong.
The third group was made up of Dorcas Sharifa Sulemana, aka Wise Girl, Emmanuel Attah, Allhassan Hudu, Grace Asantewaa, Raymsa Godson Jones, Isaac Agyapong, Shadrack Amoah, Otieku Alex, Raymond Sefa Boakye, Kallian Kofi Komashie, Daniel Adjei and Siah Kwame Daniel.
All accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They were remanded into police and prison custody, with their next court dates set for October 8 and 11, 2024 respectively.
A bench warrant was issued for Grace Asantewaa, who failed to appear in court despite being on police investigation bail.
State Attorney Nana Akusua Kusi outlined the circumstances leading to the arrests, stemming from a protest planned for July 9, 2024 at Revolutionary Square.
Although the police received notification of the protest, concerns about public safety led them to propose alternative locations, which the group declined.
Tensions escalated on September 25, 2024 when the group gathered at the 37 Roundabout, resulting in clashes with the police, who had set up barricades.
Protesters allegedly blocked major roads, causing significant traffic disruptions and damaging property, including billboards and political materials.
Defense attorneys Noah Adamtey Tetteh and Nelson Noble Amedewonu claimed their clients had been denied sufficient food and access to family and legal counsel since their arrests.
These claims were vehemently denied by prosecution and police representatives.
