Tarkwa, May 25, GNA - A 38-year-old farmer, Yaw Essilfie Bediako, has been granted Gc 5,000 bail for posing as the chief of Akyempim Wassa in the Western Region. He pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on June 6.

Police Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court that the complainant, Nana Budu, is the Abusupanyin at Akyempim Wassa near Atieku. On April 9, the accused person authorized one Alfred Kumi, the second accused, to beat gong-gong to call for a meeting of the community in his house. He said on hearing this, the complainant reported Bediako to the police of Akyempim about his activities.

The Prosecutor said he went to the house of the accused person and advised him to postpone his meeting and see the Divisional Police Commander of Tarkwa. He ignored it and told the police that he was the chief of Akyempim and that he was not ready to consult any police officer before holding meetings with his subjects.

Detective chief inspector Amponsah said on that same day he was invited by the police of Akyempim but he refused to honour the invitation. On April 12 Bediako was arrested and he claimed in his statement on caution that he was the chief of Akyempim. He said on May 11 the second accused was also arrested and he admitted that it was Bediako who authorized him to beat the gong-gong to assemble the community in his house in his capacity as the chief of the town.