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26.10.2008 Crime & Punishment

5 Suspects Granted Bail

26.10.2008 LISTEN
By Kwadwo B. Donkor - newtimesonline.com

AN Accra District Magistrate court yesterday granted bail to five people who were arrested by the police following the political violence at Agbogbloshie, a suburb of Accra, on Wednesday.  The five, who pleaded not guilty to the charges of possession of offensive weapons without lawful authority and offensive conduct, are to re-appear on November 7, this year.

They are Nuhu Alidu and Alhassan Suale, who were charged with unlawful possession of offensive weapon, and Abdulai Yakubu, Afari Darko Debrah and Abdeen Ali, with offensive conduct.

Nuhu Alidu and Alhassan Suale were granted a GH¢10,000 bail each with one landed surety to be justified, while Debrah, Ali and Yakubu were all granted a GH¢5, 000 bail each.

Briefing the Times yesterday, the Greater Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer,  Inspector Kweku Dompreh, said following the rioting last Wednesday at Agbogbloshie, the Police  arrested a number of people who were later screened and the five charged with the offences.

He explained that when the confusion erupted the police were deployed to maintain law and order. It was in the process of effecting the arrests of suspects that Alhassan pulled a knife and attempted to stab the police officer; but was overpowered and eventually arrested.

Inspector Dompreh said a search conducted on Alidu after he had been arrested revealed the concealed knife.

The other three were identified as people who had taken part in the riots and were consequently charged with the offence.

It would be recalled that last Wednesday, confusion erupted after the New Patriotic Party had held a rally at the Agbogbloshie market.

It was alleged that the convoy of the party's presidential candidate was attacked with missiles and in an attempt to protect the convoy, the supporters also responded leading to the riot.

Property worth thousands of Ghana cedis were destroyed.  No death was, however, recorded.

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