Court grants Tema rioters bail

Ashaiman, Oct. 7, GNA - The Ashaiman Circuit Court, on Wednesday granted GH¢20,000 bail each with two sureties to be justified, to 27 out of the 32 persons arrested in connection with the Tema New Town riots on September 17.

This followed the submissions by Mr Adomako Acheampong, Mr Mike Oquaye Jnr and Mr Tuinese Edward Amuzu, the defence team, for their clients, who they argued had already spent three weeks in prison custody.

Mr Acheampong lead counsel for the defence, apologised to the court for the inability of three of the accused persons, namely, Isaac Amarh, James Koranteng and Elvis Tetteh, to be in court due to ill health, but gave the assurance that they would appear at the next sitting.

The accused persons are facing three counts of possessing dangerous weapons, damaging properties, and assaulting public officers in the performance of their official duties. They have all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Enyonam Klu told the court that on Friday, September 17, a group of people barricaded the Tema New Town Road, burning lorry tires and rioting.

He said a team of Police personnel dispatched to the area to maintain law and order noticed that a bulldozer, a pick-up vehicle and offices of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority had been set on fire.

The prosecution said the Police came under attack by the mob who threw stones and other missiles, while others fired locally-manufactured guns at them.

ASP Klu said some of the accused persons were arrested at the scene while the rest were picked up later.