The Asokore Mampong District Court has remanded the three suspects linked to the recent disturbances at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) into police custody.
Police gave their names as Emmanuel Appiah Amoah alias Soidier Ba, Eugene Noamesi and Kwabena Kwarteng Amaniampong aka Zongo Chief. The suspects –all students attached to the University Hall (Katanga) – have been charged with rioting and causing unlawful damage.
In court
Head of Legal and Prosecution at the Ashanti Regional Police Command ACP Kofi Blagodzi prayed the court to adjourn the case for the accused persons to assist police investigations, a submission their lawyers opposed, arguing that their client are not flight risks.
“My Lady putting them in custody will affect their exam and could jeopardize their education”, one of the lawyers argued.
By court
Relieving Magistrate Judge H/W Hilda Esther Whyter however remanded the suspects into police custody. The judge also ordered prosecution to facilitate their movement to and from campus to write their exams.
This brings the total number of suspects facing the court in connection with the August 18 incident to five.
Lawyer for the fifth accused person Elvis Ofori Asante who expressed disappointed by the court’s decision fears his client’s education could be curtailed.
“I am very disappointed about the court’s decision. We are considering other available options to get them out of custody,” he said.
The case has been adjourned to October 4.
What happened on August 18?
A clash between residents of the University (Katanga) and Unity (Conti) Halls got many injured and properties destroyed.
The Ashanti Regional Security Council has since beefed up security on campus as the search continues to hunt down the suspects.
The University management also announced a raft of measures to curtail such violence on campus, including the suspension of all Hall and SRC Week activities.
Management has also scrapped the Junior Common Room system, a decision members of the Alumni described as “draconian”.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
Email Daily Mail GH: stories@dailymailgh.com or
Whatsapp: +233(0)509928122
