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A district court at Effiduase has granted ten thousand Ghana cedi (¢10,000) bail to seven suspects who allegedly assaulted a police officer at Kumawu in the Ashanti Region.
They are to provide one surety as part of the bail conditions. The accused persons, Edward Boateng, Evans Addo, Yaw Kusi, Michael Owusu, Yaw Boateng, and Emmanuel Mensah made their first appearance in court on Tuesday (11 April).
The seventh suspect, Thomas Kusi is in hospital after sustaining injury.
In court
Prosecutors told the court that the suspects, all natives of Effiduase were captured in a viral video assaulting the officer at a checkpoint and attempting to snatch his assault rifle from him. The officer, G/Constable Sylvester Nana Berhene had stopped the suspects who were onboard a taxicab for a check at the booth.
This was met with fierce resistance for the reason that their items were in the booth, the prosecution told the court adding that, “They struggled fiercely to disarm the corporal and in the process the rifle discharged, and they fell”.
“The corporal sustained bruises on his face and had dislocation at his right knee…He was rushed to the Juaben Government Hospital where he was admitted”, the court heard.
The suspects have been charged with assault on a public officer, and conspiracy to commit a crime, while one other accused person was charged with aiding and abetting.
By court
The prosecution prayed the court to remand the suspects into police custody while investigations continue but that was opposed by their defence lawyer who pushed for their freedom.
The court consequently granted the lawyer’s prayer and ordered the release of all the suspects, including, injured Thomas Kusi on bail.
The case has been adjourned to the 28th of April 2023 as the police search for another accomplice.
2 officers interdicted
Meanwhile, two policemen are facing service inquiries in connection with the incident.
G/Constable Isaac Bolatey and G/Constable Evans Owusu are being questioned for what the police describe as “their seeming failure to rescue their colleague, subdue the attackers and get them arrested”.
They have since been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to assist with investigations.
‘Fight over bush meat?’
It remains unclear what caused this latest incident which was captured in a viral video. Other reports suggest an attempt by the policeman to take the carcass of a rat from the young men may have led to the violent attack.
The young men were reportedly returning from a hunt and had the carcass in the boot of the taxi.
The incident attracted widespread disquiet from the public who called for action.
SOURCE: DAILY MAIL GH
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