Farmer charged with murder

Hohoe (Volta Region), 16 Feb. '99 -

A Hohoe district community tribunal yesterday remanded Innocent Kweku Doh alias Para, a farmer at Apesokubi in the Jasikan District in custody for allegedly murdering one Kwashie Dogbe at the weekend in a shooting incident. The plea of Doh was not taken and he will re-appear before the tribunal on February 26, this year. In another case, 15 people including Daniel Kofi Nyarko, an Assemblyman of the Jasikan District assembly, were also arraigned at the same tribunal charged with rioting with weapons. They all pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody to re- appear on February 19. The District Superintendent of Police, Osei Kwojo Num-Ampofo, told the tribunal chaired by Mr George Addae that two persons died during the rioting which started at a funeral. He said the police are still searching for a suspect who allegedly fired the gun and pleaded with the tribunal not to grant the accused persons bail. However Mr Martin Agbekle-Zakli, counsel for the accused, arguing for bail said most of the accused persons are elders and farmers who are innocent of the charges brought against them. He said their remand in custody would bring hardship to their families.