Ghanaian Times

Tribunal Acquits Tema Chief, elder

The paper carries on its front page a story titled "Tribunal Acquits Tema Chief, elder". According to the story, a community tribunal in Tema has acquitted and discharged Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse and Nii Shippi Armah, an elder in the trial of 13 elders concerning a clash of two factions in a chieftaincy dispute on January 13.

According to the paper, the two pleaded alibi.

The tribunal observed that the fact that others were acting on behalf of the accused persons does not defeat the plea of alibi.

The tribunal chaired by Capt. Philip Agbeyome (rtd) noted that the purpose of the application was to bring peace to Tema Manhean and keep the contestants at arm?s length, and warned that the judgment should not be a signal for any jubilation.

The paper recalling the facts of the case said the two factions clashed, when supporters of Nii Adjei Kraku tried to stop a press conference called by Nii Adjetey Kraku II, to declare himself as Tema Mantse (chief).

The paper concluded that one person received cutlass wounds while several others received lacerations from whips used in clash.