Eleven Ellenda rioters granted bail

The Half-Assini Magistrate Court has granted bail to 11 people from Ellenda who went on an unlawful rioting in the town, and assaulted some police officers last month.

The rioters were remanded in prison custody for two weeks when they made their first appearance in court on September 1.

Their plea was not taken and the court presided over by Mr Abdul Majid Illiasu, ordered them to re-appear on September 29.

They are Mr Robert Enyiaku Nyanzu 62, Ofori Kaku 32, Andrews Mochiah 24, all farmers, Joseph Kwaw, 32, driver, Emmanuel Aloko, 30, teacher, and Charles Ellea Kenyah, 64, immediate past assemblyman for the town.

The rest are Eric Egyili 22, Student, Emmanuel Muah 25 farmer, Sarfo Marfo, 36, Palm Wine Tapper, Noah Blay, 30, driver and J. K. Menlah (now at large).

They were charged with six counts of abetment of crime, assaulting police officer, causing unlawful damage, conspiracy to commit crime, rioting and causing nuisance & obstruction of road.

Prosecuting, Police Sergeant Isaac Ebo Otoo, said the complainant in the case is Nana Kyeku Anyimiah thefirth, chief of Ellenda, while the accused persons are natives of the town.

He said early last month the former chief of the town, Nana Kyeku Anyimiah the fourth passed away and his burrial was planned in the community on August 28.

Sergeant Otoo said on the day of the burial, Menlah, now at large, ordered Asafo drums to be beaten, and also organized some youth of the town to riot against the burial of the late chief.

He said upon intelligence, the police were asked to escort to the town the corpse and bereaved family for the burial.

According to the prosecutor, about 200 metres to the town, it was realized that the rioters had blocked the access road with logs and pieces of woods and had converged at the scene.

He said the police arrested some of them, while others including Menlah, managed to escape.

Sgt Otoo said after the arrest, the police managed to clear the road for the burial, and while patrolling to maintain peace and order, Robert Nyanzu confronted them.

He said Nyanzu attacked and bit the finger of Police Chief Inspector Abuoro Dekumwin, the stomach of General Constable Sadick Zangina Ahmed, and tore his uniform in the process.