V/R: Keta Police begin prosecuting 4 alleged culprits for destroying a fence wall project at Kedzikope
The Keta Police have begun prosecution proceedings against four (4) residents of Kedzikope in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region at the Keta Circuit Court. The four suspects allegedly destroyed a fence wall project under construction at the Kedzikope beach side around 7.00am on Tuesday, 18th February, 2020. They are Justice Amuzu, 33; Justice Gawu, 24; Joachim Aflade, 47 and Sheriff Adukpo, 22.
Detective Inspector Abel Amanie told our newsteam that the police are proffering three (3) charges against the suspects. The first one he said was conspiring to commit crime contrary to Section 23, sub-section 1 and Section 172, sub-section 1 of the Criminal Offence Act, Act 29 of 1960. The second count is causing unlawful damage to property contrary to Section 172, sub-section 1 of the Criminal offence Act, Act 29 of 1960. The third charge was carrying offensive weapon contrary to Section 206, sub-section 1 of the Criminal Offence Act, Act 29 of 1960.
The prosecutor disclosed that whereas the first two charges applied to all four suspects, the third charge applied to only the first accused persons, Justice Amuzu.
The fence wall project belongs to one Dr. Olympio K. Attipoe of Amasaman, Accra who earlier reported the case to the police after which preliminary investigations led to the arrest of the suspects.
Prosecuting the case, Detective Inspector Amanie said the suspects admitted the offence of causing unlawful damage in their cautioned statements, stating that the said parcel of land belonged to the government. According to them, they sought permission from the Chief Fisherman, Torgbui Lambert Yaovi Gada and the late Assembly Member for Kedzikope to make a structure on the said land and that they had been living on such land for some years now.
The police statement said the four suspects described themselves as the leaders of the group who pushed down the fence wall on the orders of the present Assembly Member of the area, Hon. Amenyo Quarshigah and the Chief Fisherman, Torgbnui Lambert Yaovi Gada.
The two personalities have so far denied the allegations leveled against them by the suspects. The Assembly Member denied ordering the suspects to push down the fence wall whilst the Chief Fisherman stated that he only ordered them to push down the bamboo stick fence wall under construction.
At the first and second court hearing of the case on Monday, 8th and Tuesday, 23rd June, 2020, cross-examination by the first accused person, Justice Amuzu, ended. The court has adjourned proceedings to Friday, 10th July, 2020 where cross-examination by the second accused person, Joachim Aflade, would begin.
The owner of the property, Dr. Olympio Attipoe described the court hearings so far as very interesting. According to him, the Judge, His Honour, Kwame Polley Esq. was very forward looking and cautious about his work. He therefore expressed the optimism that justice would eventually be served so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
Credit: Akukorku Media Consult
