Weija rioters granted bail

Accra, Aug. 9, GNA - Twelve people who allegedly destroyed properties belonging to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) at the Weija Dam during a demonstration at Weija were on Tuesday admitted to 200 million cedis bail each with justification when they appeared at a Circuit Court in Accra.

Comfort Dzomoko, the only woman among them, appeared with Seth Ashiley, Yusif Ahmed Awim, Kennedy Tsikata, Victor Doste and Abdul Karim Mohmmed.

The rest are Charles Owusu Annor, Gabriel Addo Ayi Quaye, Conrnelius Nii Aban Ashiley, Benjamin Yartey, Siagbe Freeman and Kwesi Dade.

They have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, forcible entry, rioting with weapons and assault.

The fact as presented by Prosecution was that the complainants were staff of GWCL, Weija while accused persons lived at Weija. On June 25, this year, at about 0600 hours, the youth of Weija embarked on a demonstration to demand for the construction of their main road. Prosecution said accused persons and their accomplices, who were on the run took advantage of the demonstration and proceeded to GWCL, fired gun shots, attacked workers and destroyed a filter valued at 180 million cedis.

They further destroyed a Controlled Panel valued 550 million cedis, louver blades and the main gate of the Company premises.

The accused persons, who not satisfied with their acts, blocked the main road leading to the town and set fire in the middles of the road. Prosecution said due to the acts of the accused person, GWCL was unable to provide potable water to some part of the Greater Accra Region for three days adding that the situation might continue.

When the Police arrived at the scene, the accused persons and others now at large, were throwing stones and other objects at them. Prosecution said the Police chased them and succeeded in arresting the accused persons.