Beckley case adjourned to 22 July

People who thronged the Adjabeng Community Tribunal on Monday to catch a glimpse of Sri Yogi Ram Beckley, a medical practitioner and occultist, charged for assaulting and kidnapping a class three pupil could not make him out.

People's inability to make him out stemmed from the fact that he had shaved his grey long beard and appeared a bit relieved as he smiled and responded to greetings from his friends and relatives, who had converged at the court.

Beckley, who had pleaded not guilty to the charge, was granted a five million cedis bail by a Regional Tribunal on 25 June after the Adjabeng Community tribunal chaired by Mrs Elizabeth Ankomah refused him bail. At Monday's sitting, defence Counsel Mr Akwasi Bosumpem asked for a date of hearing since a duplicate docket had been sent to the Attorney General's Department for advice.

Superintendent of Police, Mr Patrick Sarpong, the prosecutor said as at now we have not received anything from the AG's office and asked for a long adjournment. The tribunal after hearing from both parties adjourned till 22 July for mention.

On 12 April, Beckley was said to have lured a girl to his house under the pretext of buying some vegetables she was selling. In the house, he allegedly tied the girl to a tree overnight without water and food, until her stepfather was informed and he raised the alarm.

Beckley was arrested on Saturday 13 April after Police received a complaint from a parent that her daughter was abducted by the accused on Friday evening. An angry mob set ablaze his residence and property at New Gbawe in Accra.