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29.08.2013 Crime & Punishment

Chief Priest, Seven Others In Court Over Assault

By Daily Guide
Chief Priest, Seven Others In Court Over Assault
29.08.2013 LISTEN

EIGHT RESIDENTS of Mayera near Pokuase in Accra including their chief priest have been hauled before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly causing mayhem in the area.

The eight accused persons are among factions in a chieftaincy dispute who allegedly engaged in a fight that resulted in the injury of two of them.

The eight are Nii Okulley Ntreh, the Oshipi of Mayera; Nii Okulley Isaiah, head of family; Aawon Anuu, Chief Priest; Nii Allotey Charles, driver; Alfred Nyarko alias Nii Nii, auto sprayer; William Osei Appiah; John Bosompem, driver and Joseph Djomah Osuoke, retired machine operator.

In the course of the fight, William had his left ear bitten off by Nii Ntreh while Bosompem sustained a deep cut on his forehead as a result of a stone thrown at him by Djomah.

The fight was as a result of a move by Nii Okulley Isaiah and Aawon Anuu to have Nii Okulley Ntreh destooled as the Oshipi of the area.

The incident occurred during a special event organized by Nii Ntreh to outdoor two sub-chiefs.

Four of the accused persons who were allegedly contracted by these two elders including William, John Bosompem, Nii Allotey Charles and Alfred Nyarko were jointly charged with conspiracy to commit crime.

The two elders Nii Okulley Isaiah and Aawon were charged with abetment of crime while Nii Ntreh and Joseph Djomah Osuoke were charged with causing harm and assault respectively.

Nii Ntreh who did not obtain a permit from the police to organize the said programme had an additional charge of failure to notify police to hold special event at a public place.

They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges and have been granted a GH¢50,000 bail with one surety each to re-appear on September 12.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Isaac Dedoo, presenting the facts of the case, told the court that on December 29, 2012 Nii Okulley Ntreh enstooled Asafoanye and Gyasetse for the people of Mayera without permit from police and also without the consent of head of family and the Chief Priest.

Nii Okulley Isaiah and Aawon Anuu, the head of family and chief priest respectively became offended and accused Nii Okulley Ntreh of misconduct.

The prosecutor stated that on December 12, 2012, the two elders mobilized the youth of Mayera, including William Osei Appiah, Nii Allotey Charles, John Bosompem and Alfred Nyarko and instructed them to forcibly capture and destool Nii Oshipi Okulley Ntreh, the Oshipi.

Following the said instruction, the youth, on December 30, 2012, at about 10:00am met the Oshipi in Mayera town and captured him.

According to the prosecutor, the Oshipi struggled with them but the youth allegedly tore his regalia and dragged him on the ground.

Oshipi reportedly became desperate and bit off the left ear of William Osei Appiah.

Osei retaliated and also bit the chest of the Oshipi.

The incident, the prosecutor said, attracted the brother of Oshipi, one Joseph Djomah Osuoke who rushed to his aid.

Joseph also allegedly inflicted a cut on the forehead of John Bosompem with a stone.

Williams Osei Appiah whose left ear was chopped off and the Oshipi who was captured and manhandled lodged complaints with the police.

The parties were subsequently arrested and after investigation, they were charged with the offence.

By Mary Anane
 
 
 
 
 
 

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