Two reverend ministers, judge, seven others before court

Ten persons, including two reverend ministers and a high court judge, were on Wednesday granted a total of 500 million cedis bail with four sureties to be justified, by a circuit court at Cape Coast.

The 10 were arrested for allegedly flouting a prohibition order by a high court in Cape Coast, against the installation of a chief.

They are Reverend Father John Acheampong, a Catholic Priest, based at Assin-Foso, Very Reverend Col. P. A. Brewu of the Ghana Armed Forces, Justice Frank Amoah, a high court judge in Kumasi and Nana Appentuah IV, Nifahemaa of Afutuakwa traditional area in the Assin north district.

The rest are Yakubu Mohammed, farmer, Yaa Kisiwaa, trader, Adjoa Kisiwaa, and Agnes Brewu, all traders, Ama Amoakoah, housewife and Peter Acheampong, now domiciled in the United States of America, and who was allegedly installed the 'Nifahene'.

They have all pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit a crime and installing a chief contrary to the Public Order Act, and were each granted 50 million cedis bail until Friday, May 11.

Prosecuting, Chief inspector Hope Azasoo told the court presided over by Beresford Acquah that last Saturday, Nana J. B. Akomanyi, Krontihene of Afutuakwa traditional area, petitioned a high court in Cape Coast against the installment of Acheampong as 'Nifahene' and a prohibition order to that effect was served the leaders of the Asakyire clan.

He alleged that the clan defied the prohibition order, and began rites to install the Nifahene on Monday May 7, when police in Cape Coast got wind of it and went to the town to stop them from doing so.

He also alleged that the regional police command, held a meeting with the leaders of the Asakyire clan, which was also attended by the acting president of Afutuakwa traditional council, Justice John Augustus Osei, who is also a retired Court of Appeal judge, to help maintain peace in the town.

Chief Inspector Azasoo further alleged that at the meeting, the Asakyire clan agreed not to go ahead with the installation, but did so immediately the police left.

Source: GNA