NPP activists formally charged

The Police have preferred charges of rioting and vandalism against the five NPP supporters arrested Monday night during their protest of the arrest of Assin North MP, Kennedy Agyepong.

The five were taken to the Cocoa Affairs court in Accra and granted bail to the tune of GH¢50,000 with two sureties each and are to report to the Police Headquarters every Monday morning.

Hearing of the case is fixed for May 9.
The five are Samuel Nsiah Kwame, Kwame Affram, Isaac Dankwah, Kwame Oduro and Samuel Kwaku Gyebi.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Police Prosecutors DSP Aidan Dery and Superintendent Kofi Blagodzi in their submission, said the accused persons on April 16 this year, caused mayhem at the Police CID headquarters, through the Ako Adjei Interchange to the GBC area.

The Police said the five burnt tyres and threw stones and other implements and later barricaded the road thereby disrupting motor traffic.

The defence lawyer, Atta Akyea said his clients did not cause mayhem but were returning home from work well after the incident had taken place.

He said the charges were misdemeanour and prayed the court to grant bail as the Police carried out their investigations and assured the Judge that the men will not interfere with Police investigations.

Trial judge, Audrey Kokuvie Tay, cautioned the country was in trying times in its political history and with violence being reported in the on-going biometric registration, such reprehensible and unlawful conduct as alleged by the prosecution should not be tolerated.

Leading members of the NPP including its National Chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Oquaye and his son, Mike Oquaye Jnr, Tema West MP, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, former Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani, former Trade Minister, Dr. Konadu Apraku and former Defence Minister, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufour were present at the court.