By Joyce Danso, GNA
Accra, Sept. 5, GNA – Two persons arrested during the Homowo Festival at Omanjor in Accra have appeared before a district court at Adabraka.
Christian Saka Ahianyevi, 35, security guard, and Newtown Allotey, 26, dispatch rider, have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit murder, rioting with weapons, and murder.
They allegedly committed the offense with 30 others who are at large.
The court, presided over by Mrs Abena Owusu Omenyo, did not take their pleas and remanded them into lawful custody to reappear on September 29, 2025.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Apeweh Achana, told the court that the accused persons pleas would not be taken because of the charge of murder with police investigation ongoing.
The police are also making frantic effort to arrest the other accomplices.
The facts are that the accused persons; Chrsitian and Newton, are residents of Omanjor, Dweneho, Sowutuom and Dansoman.
On August 30, 2025, prosecution said the Chief and the people of Omanjor and adjoining communities celebrated their annual Homowo Festival.
The festival includes a procession and the traditional sprinkling of Kpokpoi, the traditional meal, on the streets.
While the procession was ongoing, the accused persons and their accomplices stopped the procession at an area near the “Police land,” and with a group of individuals, claimed that the Omanjor chief and his people had trespassed on their land and demanded that they turned back.
Prosecution said a misunderstanding ensued between the factions, resulting in gunfire.
During the incident, the accused persons and their accomplices allegedly shot and killed the following individuals: Abubakar Ramadan Sarbahaka Nii Kwashiebu, Jospeh Shaibu Dodoo, and Theophilus Nii Amu Kwadjan.
Prosecution said several others were wounded, including Frederick Lartey, also known as Nii Obrafour, Samuel Adjei and Nathaniel Doku.
The court heard that the victims were receiving treatment at the Ridge and Korle-Bu Teaching hospitals, while some had been treated and discharged.
On August 31, 2025, prosecution said the police gathered intelligence that the accused persons were among those responsible for the shooting.
During their arrest, Christian was found with a locally manufactured pistol and a machete, while 18 empty cartridges were retrieved from Newton’s room.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe