Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) - A magistrate's court at Sunyani on Thursday commenced hearing of a case in which George Arthur, Executive Chairman of the Brong Ahafo United Football Club and 16 others are charged with rioting with offensive instruments, unlawful entry, stealing, causing unlawful damage and assault.

Eight of the accused persons who were in court pleaded not guilty and were granted 10 million cedis bail with one surety each to re-appear on 19 June.

In the dock with Arthur, were Offei Yaw, Hudu Issahaku, Alhaji Berekum, Nana Brew, Emmanuel Twum, Halidu and Baba Sumalia. The court presided over by Charles Adjei Wilson issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the remaining nine.

Kingsley Osei Bonsu, also known as Zico, a businessman and former Chief Executive of the club in his evidence told the court that on 9 May, this year, he was in the premises of Space FM, a local radio station when one of the workers informed him that a group of people had damaged his (Bonsu) Opel saloon car (pictured), injuring the occupants in the process.

He said as he was about to move out to ascertain the truth he saw about 100 people armed with stones and sticks marching towards the station.

"My father, however prevented them from entering the premises," he added. Bonsu said Baba Sumalia assaulted his father after he, Halidu, and George Arthur, who led the group had exchanged words with him (father) at the entrance.

Bonsu said he heard George Arthur asking the group, "What is our purpose here?" to which they responded, "We are here to collect the cards of players of B.A. United F/C."

He said unable to bear the insults and shouts that followed he decided to come out to confront the group but was advised by some friends not to do so.

The former Chief Executive said about five minutes later the group started throwing stones and sticks into the compound, causing damage to sliding doors, wall-clocks, air-conditioners and other items.

He said Alhaji Berekum then jumped on the wall and shouted: "Zico come out, we will kill you today." Bonsu said he called the police twice on phone but each time he was told they were short of personnel and were mobilizing themselves to respond to his call.

He said he followed up to the police station and met the sales-boy in his shop, "Oyinka" Enterprise, also making a similar report of an earlier attack by the group.

The sales boy had reported to the police that the group made away with the sales book, an unspecified amount of money and some other items, he said.