Demonstrating Koforidua taxi drivers granted bail

Koforidua, Sept. 9, GNA - The Koforidua Community Tribunal has granted bail to 14 taxi drivers, who appeared before it for their alleged involvement in a demonstration in the Koforidua Municipality on August 30.

The tribunal, chaired by Mr Asare Dua, granted the first accused, Edward Agyapong, bail in the sum of two million cedis with one surety to be justified while the remaining 13 accused were granted one-million cedis bail with a surety each to be justified.

Agyapong pleaded not guilty to a seven-counts of failing to notify the Police before holding a special event, taking part in a special event, obstructing public officer in the execution of his duty and assault whilst the 13 others pleaded not guilty to taking part in the demonstration.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Superintendent Rose Bio Atenga, told the court that on August 30, the Police was alerted that a section of taxi drivers in the Municipality had embarked on an illegal demonstration and had withdrawn their services.

The information, she said, also indicated that some of the drivers blocked sections of the main road with their vehicles while others were assaulting their colleagues, who were working, thus causing confusion in the Municipality.

A team of policemen from the Koforidua Motor and Transport Unit went to the scene, where they spotted the first accused in his taxi, which he had used to block a section of the main Effiduase-Koforidua road, she said.

The Police consequently, arrested six of them but while they were being conveyed to court, Agyapong, who was then driving a taxi with registration number GR 3712 D, suddenly drove into the road and crossed the Police vehicle conveying the accused persons thus preventing them from moving.

Superintendent Atenga said Agyapong then assaulted the Policemen and was joined by the other accused persons, who forced the door of the vehicle open and set the suspects free.