Elmina chief's sentence reduced to eight days

Cape coast, April 24, GNA - The Cape Coast High Court that convicted Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, the Paramount Chief of Edina Traditional Area to three months prison on Tuesday reduced the sentence to eight days following a motion for mitigation of sentence filed by the chief's counsel.

Mr. Ebow Dawson filed the motion after he applied to the court to withdraw an application he submitted on Monday seeking bail for Nana Conduah of which, the court refused bail on the grounds of inconsistencies in his submission.

Nana Conduah has already served eight days.
Earlier, Mr Dawson had told the court, presided over by Mr Justice James Benson, that Nana Conduah had learnt his lesson and that he had filed an affidavit expressing his deepest remorse for flouting the court's rule.

According to the counsel, part of the affidavit read that, he would not exercise the functions of a chief until a case brought against his enstoolment as a chief was finally determined.

The court after reviewing the motion ruled that since the chief had apologized to the court it would temper justice with mercy and therefore reduce the sentence from three months to eight days, which fell on Monday, April 23.

On the other hand, the counsel for the applicant, Mr. Ato Amponsah Dadzie in his response, expressed concern about the abusive behaviour of the supporters of the chief towards the applicant, since the “unfortunate event”.

He urged the supporters to be circumspect and ensure that peace was maintained in the Elmina Township, because “without peace, there will be no justice”.

It will be recalled Nana Conduah was convicted last Monday for contempt of court, for receiving a donation in his capacity as a chief of Elmina during last year's Bakatue Festival, even though he has been asked not to exercise the function of a chief by the court.

He was also fined an amount of GH¢3,000 and slammed with a cost of GH¢2,500 in favour of the applicant, Supi George Asmah.

GNA