The Circuit Court at Dansoman, a suburb of Accra, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul Baasit, on Monday, December 16, 2024 granted bail to three accused persons; Emmanuel Obeng Addo, alias Nii Ayi I (67), Richard Suzey, alias Asafoatse Ankrah I (35), and Edward Ocanta, alias Asafoatse Quarshie (40).
They are facing charges of conspiracy, failure to notify the police of a special event, and offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace.
The accused, who pleaded not guilty, were each granted bail in the sum of GH¢20,000 with two sureties.
The sureties must be public servants residing within the jurisdiction of the court and earning not less than GH¢1,000.
The accused are to report to the police once every two weeks until further notice.
The case was referred to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for possible settlement and adjourned to February 2, 2025 for a review of the settlement outcome. The court advised all parties to comport themselves during the proceedings.
Brief Facts
The Complainants, Naa Abrafi I, the Queen Mother of MayeraFaase and the Amasaman Divisional Police Command, alleged that the accused have been at the center of a protracted chieftaincy and land dispute in MayeraFaase.
Naa Abrafi I, who has served as Queen Mother for 29 years and is recognized by the National House of Chiefs, has been working to install a new chief following the death of the former leader in May 2023.
However, the accused, who do not recognize her authority, have reportedly acted to undermine her legitimacy.
On November 22, 2024 during the funeral of the Queen mother’s late mother, the accused and their supporters reportedly stormed the event.
Armed with guns and chanting war songs, they declared themselves as the new family heads and Asafoatse for Mayera Faase. Their actions caused dignitaries to flee the funeral grounds.
The accused were allegedly carried on the shoulders of their supporters in a symbolic installation ceremony. The police responded to the disturbance, but the group managed to escape and completed the installation ceremony at Otubruhum Dadebanaa, Accra. Videos of the event were later circulated on social media.
Arrests and Investigations
Emmanuel Obeng Addo was arrested on November 24, 2024, upon returning to MayeraFaase. Richard Suzey and Edward Ocanta were later apprehended and brought to the police.
During investigations, the accused admitted to failing to notify the police about the installation ceremony.
While Emmanuel Obeng Addo admitted to challenging the complainant’s legitimacy as Queen Mother, the other two accused claimed they were unaware that notifying the police was required for their actions.
