Accra, Sept. 7, GNA - A man, who allegedly hired thugs from Nima and Amasaman Zongo to brutalise his opponents at Medie, appeared before a circuit court in Accra, on Wednesday.

Christopher Otto Nii Amponsah, member of a faction in a protracted chieftaincy dispute, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit crime, three counts of causing harm and stealing.

The accused, who was granted GH 20,000 bail with two sureties to be justified, would re-appear at court on September 12.

Police Chief Inspector Charles Chester told the court that the complainants, Emmanuel Nii Amo, Elisha Adotey Brown and Nii Offei and the accused were close relatives and royals of Medie in the Ga West District.

The prosecution said there was a protracted chieftaincy dispute over the succession to the Media stool after the death of their late father Nii Ayitey Quao, chief of the town about 26 years ago.

Chief Insp. Chester said this resulted in a rift creating two factions. He said the complainants belong to a faction while the accused, who is the son and administrator of the estate of Nii Quao Amponsah, belonged to another group.