Magistrate deplores insulting behaviour of citizens

Mankranso (Ash), April 7, GNA - Mr Frank Owusu-Afriyie, a magistrate at Mankranso in the Ahafo-Ano South district of Ashanti has issued a stern warning to citizens living within the jurisdiction of the court to desist from raining insults on traditional leaders, a behaviour he described as too rife in the area.

He said he would be ruthless in sentencing those brought before the court on such charges to serve as a deterrent and also to maintain the respect and dignity of traditional rulers, which he believed, had been grossly abused by many people in the area.

The magistrate also deplored the reported attitude of defiance and impunity being displayed by the youth of Mpasaso area, whose popular slogan now is "No law after 12-noon".

Mr Owusu-Afriyie issued the warning when he granted a five million-cedi bail to Akua Afriyie, a 44-year-old farmer, who is standing trial on charges of insulting Nana Bediako-Ababio, chief of Biemso Number One.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Emmanuel Ofori, told the court that on February 23, this year, Nana Bediako-Ababio, the complainant, decided to settle a case between the accused and one Kwaku Ohohoo at his palace, but Akua Afriyie refused to heed the call of the chief to proceed to the palace.

The chief then sent Okyeame Amoako and Kofi Ampah, his two linguists to summon the accused to the palace for the arbitration. Akua Afriyie reportedly told the two linguists that she would never step at the chief's palace and arrogantly used words such as "cheats" and "liars" on the chief and his elders. The chief subsequently reported the case to the police.