Some members of two factions that clashed during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Youth and Women Congress in Cape Coast have been charged.
One of the three accused persons brought before an Accra Circuit, Dauda Mohammed Nazir has pleaded guilty for arming himself with an offensive weapon and resorting to the use of violence during the congress.
Dauda pleaded guilty on prohibition of vigilante groups and activities contrary to section 3(5) of the Vigilantism and related offences Act, 2019 [Act 999], on his first appearance before the court on Wednesday, January 10.
He, however, pleaded guilty to second count of the same offence, but a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf by the court presided over by His Honour Samuel Bright Acquah based on his explanation.
The court will be taking the plea of the others -Abdul Halid Shaibu alias Olu, Razak Ibrahim alias Oga – today, January 11, 2023. Their pleas were not taken because of language barrier.
Shaibu and Ibrahim are facing similar charges – prohibition of vigilante groups and activities.
The court was informed by the prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sylvester Asare that the accused persons are believed to be members of vigilante groups operating within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to him, on December 10, 2022, the police received a report of violence disturbances at the NDC’s National Youth and Women’s Congress held in the Central regional capital, Cape Coast.
He informed the court that upon receipt of the report, the police commenced an investigation into the matter, in which video footages of the Congress viewed during the process, uncovered 16 people including the accused persons engaged in the violence.
The court was told that police investigation has established that while proceedings were ongoing at the Congress, two rival vigilante groups violently clashed, amid throwing stones, blocks, clubs sticks among others, causing injury to some persons and destruction of properties.
“Further investigation had it that, the first accused, (Abdul Halid Shaibu) and the second accused person, (Razak Ibrahim alias Oga) and others at large work for and in furtherance of their own interest and that of George Opare Addo (Pablo) as the National Youth Organizer of the NDC,” he alleged.
He added that it was also established that Dauda and others at large acted for themselves and that of Hannah Bissiw and Brogya Gyamfi.
DSP Asare narrated to the court that Shaibu, Ibrahim and others at large were transported from Tamale to Cape Coast to engage in vigilante activities to further the interest of George Opare Addo to win the election.
The prosecutor stated that the accused persons and others at large were given GH¢50.00 each as pocket money, saying: “On same 9th December, 2022, suspect Jango currently in police custody organized the rival group including 3rd [accused person] from Berekum and its environs to further the interest of Hon. Hannah Bissiw and Brogya Gyamfi to win their respective position[s].”
He indicated that Police investigation also revealed that accused persons and others at large were lodged in separate hotels in Cape Coast and fed.
On December 10, 2022, whilst the congress was on going, the vigilante rival groups without any provocation, but to further the interest of their respective candidates, resorted to the use violence, threat and intimidation, which injured some people.
The prosecutor intimated that “some members of the opposing factions involved in the fight got injured and rushed to the hospital for treatment. It was also established that Al and A2 were paid GH¢250.00 each for their services as vigilantes at the Congress for George Opare Addo.
“Thus, A3 and his accomplices also received GH¢200.00 each for their services as vigilantes at the Congress for Brogya Gyamfi and Hannah Bissiw.”
He added that Shaibu and Ibrahim were arrested from their hideouts at Tamale on January 6, 2023, and brought to Accra for investigation.Dauda Mohammed Nazir was arrested January 8 at Kintampo. The court was told that all accused persons have admitted the offence during interrogation.
