Kofi Jumah, the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa, yesterday debunked allegations that he led eight other people to beat up Jamel Agha, who he (Jumah) accused of stealing his cell phone.
He told the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Court that an angry mob that heard about the theft of his phone in his house was on the verge of lynching Agha.
The former minister said he rushed to the place to save the complainant.
Mr Jumah, who served under the previous Kufuor administration, said he was utterly shocked about the development, stating that it was untrue that he and other people manhandled Agha in his house recently.
Counsel for the accused person, Kwame Adom Appiah prayed the court, presided over by William Boampong, to grant his client bail.
Case
Kofi Jumah and one Samuel Adu Frimpong, his special assistant, who had been charged with causing unlawful harm to Agha, appeared in court for the first time.
The victim, who allegedly sustained injuries, was also in court, but the other suspects were absent.
Chief Supt. Emmanuel Akunnor, addressing the court, said Mr. Jumah took Agha to his house where the victim was eventually beaten mercilessly.
Agha then lodged a complaint with the police who issued him with a medical form and invited Mr. Jumah.
The police, he said, withdrew the invitation and arrested Mr. Jumah after he confirmed Agha�s accusation against him in a radio interview.
Kwame Adom Appiah argued that his client was innocent of the charge, adding that his client�s interview on radio should not have a direct effect on the matter.
He described Mr. Jumah as a popular and respected personality in society who would not abscond when granted bail.
The prosecutor strongly objected to the bail application by Mr. Jumah�s lawyer, stressing that the ex-MP, besides admitting beating the victim on radio, also threatened to beat Agha again.
Bail
The presiding judge granted bail in the sum of GH�70,000 with surety each to Messrs Jumah and Adu Frimpong, stating that the police granted the accused person self-recognizance bail when they arrested him.
The accused persons would reappear before the court on October 21, this year for hearing.
Mr. Jumah was represented by seven top lawyers including Ohene Djan, Anane Kweaba, Anthony Osei Kofi, Osei Antwi, J.B. Darkwa.
Many people, mostly New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters, thronged the court to show solidarity with the former Kumasi Mayor and Asokwa MP.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka �Wontumi�, Isaac Asiamah, Ayisi Boateng, Osei Assibey, Bernito Owusu Bio and Andy Owusu, were also in court.
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