Madina Rioters Refused Bail

The Accra Circuit Court yesterday refused bail for 20 people who were allegedly involved in a violent clash between the police and a section of the youth at Madina Zongo Junction in Accra on Tuesday.

The clash, which bordered on a dispute over the ownership of a parcel of land, resulted in the injury of eight people, including two policemen.

Lawyers for the accused persons had prayed the court to grant their clients bail with the argument that the clients were innocent bystanders who had no hand in the clash.

However, the court, presided over by Mr Eric Kyei-Baffour, declined and indicated that it was only proper that the police were given ample time to conclude investigations into the matter.

The accused are Abdul Hamid, Adam Mohammed, Alidue Hamidu, Bala Camal, James Fadama, Anas Matire, Abubakar Alhassan, Salifu Haridu, Tahiru Kadri and Monsuro Musah.

The rest are Musah Abubakar, Tibriru Masawudu, Musah Mahmoud, Tahiru Ali, Zibrim Abubakar, Ibrahim Alhassan, Aminu Salifu, Baki Salifu, Jerry Mc-Mills Gomelessio and Mohammed Raffi.

They were each charged with seven counts of conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting with weapons, causing unlawful damage and assault on public officer.

Their pleas were not taken and they will reappear on May 23, 2011. Family members of the accused were in court to show solidarity with them.

On Tuesday, the Madina Zongo Junction area was thrown into chaos when the police fired tear gas, rubber and live ammunition to disperse angry youth protesting the take-over of a parcel of land by the Faith Community Baptist Complex of Schools.

According to the demonstrators, the land was the only available space in the area for public activities, including political rallies, church crusades and Islamic festivities.

The land in question has been a subject of litigation between the Baptist Church and some members of the community for close to 17 years.

The issuance of a writ of possession by an Accra High Court for the church to take over the land, which a bailiff served on the people occupying the land for them to vacate the place within two weeks, sparked the riot.

Some kiosks and food vending tables in the Zongo community were destroyed, while at the Faith Community Baptist Complex of Schools glass windows were shattered by the stone-throwing youth.

According to the prosecution, the police managed to restore order, but two policemen sustained injuries in the process.

The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Kofi Blagodzi, prayed the court to remand the accused persons because investigations were ongoing.