Ten persons remanded over Makango chieftaincy dispute

Ten persons who were among a group of people accused of disturbing the public peace in Makango in the East Gonja district have been remanded in prison custody by a Tamale High Court to re-appear on the 27th of February.

Mr. Justice Ansu Gyeabour, a High Court Judge who presided over the case also granted bail to three other persons on humanitarian grounds with two sureties and GH?3,000 to be justified.

The 13 accused persons were; Kalambowura Issifu Braimah, Haruna Saaka, Kasawura Adam Yussif, Alhaji Mumuni Alhassan, Mariama Issiffu, Majeed Issah and Baba Iddrisu Seidu.

The rest are Zakaria Abadu, Hardi Badu, Issah Hardi, Aziz Nuru, Soale Mejida and Nana Kofi Sumkpa.

They were arrested on February 13 and charged with three counts of holding special events without police notification, taking part in special events, and offensive conduct.

Prosecuting, Principal State Attorney Mr. Salia Abdul-Qudus, told the court that the accused persons were in dispute with the chief of Makango, Kulibuwura Ewutongma Issifa, over a compensation package presented to the area by the Volta River Authority over parcels of land the VRA acquired for the construction of the Volta Lake.

Mr. Abdul-Qudus said the matter was brought to court and judgment passed, but the accused persons who were not in agreement with the ruling, subsequently enskinned Baba Iddrisu Seidu, amidst drumming and dancing without notifying the police for protection.

He prayed the court to remand the accused persons to enable the police conclude their investigations, stressing that they could interfere and influence investigations if they were not remanded.

Mr. Rauf Tanko, counsel for the accused persons, argued that the offences brought against his clients were bail-able, noting that they were responsible citizens and bread winners of their families.

In a related development, eight more persons have been arrested in connection with the same incident and would soon be put before court.

The Ghana News Agency has learnt that security personnel have been deployed to the Makango area to maintain peace and order.