Paul Tawiah Quaye, IGP
Thirteen suspected rioters from Nima and Mamobi, who reportedly blocked the Nima-Mamobi roads after a feud ensued between them, leading to them beating up policemen assigned to restore order at the scene, have been arraigned.
The suspects, believed to be in their early 20s, smashed windscreens and seized personal effects of their victims and the police who had to call some of their colleagues and the military for reinforcement.
The accused persons are Bashiru Aminu- an auto mechanic, Sule Issah- tailor, Ibrahim Issah- unemployed, Ishmael Awuni Cobbina- footballer, Yaazo Tutema- cleaner, Ibrahim Yakubu- unemployed, Mustapha Dauda- student, Issah Naari- unemployed, Kabutey Ocansey- trader, Karim Baroa- trader, Danlard Mohammed- unemployed and Mohamadu Abubakar- unemployed.
They were put before an Accra Circuit Court and charged with riot and two counts of causing unlawful damage
The suspects have denied any wrongdoing and have been remanded in police custody on the orders of Ebenezer Osei-Darko, the trial judge.
They are to re-appear on October 4, 2012.
Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecuting officer, DSP Alex Odonkor, told the court that the first complainant in this case was Tetteh Emmanuel and the second was the Nima Divisional Police Patrol team, whilst the accused persons are residents of Nima, Kanda and Maamobi.
According to him, on September 17, 2012, at about 3:30 am, the first complainant, who was in charge of a Peugeot taxi cab with registration number GT 9368 R, rushed to the police to report that the Nima-Mamobi road had been blocked with stones and tables.
The complainant also reported that his mobile phone and GH?90.00, which was lying on the dashboard, had been taken away from him by the suspects who also smashed his windscreen.
The prosecutor stated that on receipt of the information, a police patrol team rushed to the scene and the accused persons started throwing stones at a police vehicle with registration number GP 2239 and in the process caused damage to it.
The policemen had to fire warning shots to disperse the thugs, who grew restive until the police called other military/police teams for re-enforcement.
The DSP noted that the patrol teams came and assisted their colleagues who were among the mob numbering about 100.
He said investigations were still ongoing.
Joseph S. Awudu, counsel for the accused persons, denied that the suspects were those who rioted in the area and said his clients happened to be there at that time, hence their arrest.
He applied for bail for the suspects but the judge declined and remanded them.
