Four students from Accra Academy Senior High School have been brought before the Dansoman Circuit Court on charges of assaulting first-year students, following the emergence of a viral video showing one of the victims being attacked with a machete.

Among the accused, only 21-year-old Richard Ninson is an adult. He faces two counts of abetment of crime to wit assault but was absent during court proceedings. The remaining three accused students, aged between 15 and 17, have had their identities withheld due to their juvenile status. They appeared in court and denied charges of threat of harm, abetment of crime, and assault.

Presiding Judge Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Basit granted the three minors bail, placing them in the custody of their guardians—a father, uncle, and aunt—who stood as sureties in line with the Juvenile Justice Act. Each was granted bail at GH₵10,000 to allow them to continue their studies ahead of examinations.

The court has directed the prosecution to submit all necessary disclosures and witness statements before the Case Management Conference, with proceedings set to resume on April 14, 2025.

Inspector Esther Mensah, assisted by Chief Inspector Portia Nuarko, led the prosecution, revealing that the complainant in the case is a 34-year-old teacher at Accra Academy SHS who resides in Ablekuma New Town.

Investigations indicated that all four accused students are day scholars residing in Mamprobi and Shukura, Accra. Their alleged actions came to light after school authorities intercepted the disturbing video on January 1, 2025, which showed first-year students being assaulted with a machete.

Following the discovery, the complainant and a guardian of one of the minors accompanied the suspect to the police station, where a statement was recorded, and he was released on bail pending further investigations.

The probe uncovered that on January 17, 2025, the victims were gathered at the school park for prayers when the accused students confronted them. The victims were reportedly forced to kneel, and one was instructed to erase all content from his phone before surrendering it. The accused allegedly demanded GH₵500 for its return.

Additionally, the other victims were coerced into making a collective payment of GH₵10 out of fear. One victim was reportedly struck in the chest, while another was assaulted with a machete. The incident was captured on video, and the victims were allegedly warned to remain silent under threat of further harm.

The case continues as legal proceedings move toward trial, with authorities focused on ensuring justice for the victims.