Accra, Jan. 21, GNA – Seven out of 11 persons allegedly involved in the recent violence at Nima have been remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court.
They pleaded not guilty for rioting with weapons and causing harm.
The accused persons are: Abdul Gafaru Mahama, Atarowa Bassam, Abdul Mumuni Gariba, Mohammed Saabi Ganiru, Illiasu Salm and Issah Seidu.
Ali Awudu, aka “Bombo” and Ibrahim Husain, aka “Kumordzi” are said to be on the run while Aziz Suleman, aka “Rambo” and Ibrahim Jalo, are said to be on admission at hospitals.
Two victims, Frimpong Boateng and Shaibu Abdul Razak, are said to be receiving treatment at the Police Hospital.
The court, presided over by Mrs Rosemary Baah Torsu, has ordered the pleas of alibi put by some of the accused persons and adjourned the matter to February 1.
Prosecution led by Chief Inspector Dennis Terkpetey opposed to the grant of bail to the accused persons, saying tension was still high at Nima.
Chief Inspector Terkpetey asked the court to avert its mind to public interest because investigations had just begun and “in the interest of justice and fairness, the Police should be given time to investigate the matter well.”
The prosecution asked that the accused persons “be remanded so the Police could conduct forensic investigations into the matter. There is too much tension, and the safety of the accused persons is paramount.”
Counsels for the accused persons, however, took turns to apply for bail for their clients.
Mr Yaw Dankwah who represented Illiasu Salim and Issah Seidu indicated that his clients were nowhere near the scene and that the Police had only brought before the court innocent persons and urged the court to investigate the plea of alibi put up the accused persons.
He said in the case of his client, the Police had done a “sham job” and that the accused should be admitted to bail.
Mr Nasiru Seidu indicated that his client, Abdul Gafaru Mahama, had just been operated on and that there was no way he could have taken part in the riots.
He therefore, prayed for bail so he could visit the hospital for further treatment.
Mr Seth Agyapong Oware who represented Ganiru informed the court that the facts presented did not support the charges, adding that, his client was “caught in a wrong place at the wrong time.”
Presenting the facts, Chief Inspector Terkpetey, said on January 18, this year, at about 1500 hours, the Police received information that there was an ongoing riot at Nima (Gutter) and that the riots involved the use of arms and other offensive weapons.
The prosecution said a team of armed policemen were quickly dispatched to the location where very large crowd of people had gathered.
It said the names of Ali Awudu, aka “Bombom” and Ibrahim Hussein, aka “Kumordzi” were mentioned as the leaders of two groups responsible for the riots.
The prosecution said Awudu and Hussein were, however, at large when the Police arrived.
It said Abdul Gafaru Mahama was arrested after he was identified to the Police as one of the perpetrators.
The prosecution said a total of 12 spent shells were retrieved at the scene.
It said a barbering shop located a few meters from the scene was also vandalised by the rioters and that a search in the vandalised barbering shop led to the discovery of three AA A live ammunitions, one empty pistol magazine, one live pistol bullet, a knife, and a machete.
The prosecution said a victim named Frimpong, 53, who was about to move his car from the scene was shot in the left shoulder and receiving treatment at the Emergency ward 37 Military Hospital.
Suspect Aziz Sulemana, aka “Rambo” and Ibrahim Moro, aka “Gato” who went to seek treatment at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital/ Ridge, were picked up and currently on admission and under heavy Police guard at the Police Hospital.
It said Bassam, Gariba, Barinu and Ganiru, were also picked up at the same hospital after they were identified by the Police.
The prosecution said intelligence also led to the arrest of Illiasu Salim and Issah Seidu at their hideout at Ashalajah, near Amasaman in Accra.
It said a search led to the discovery of a Military uniform and a pump action gun at the hideouts of the two accused persons.
GNA