The Kaneshi Magistrate court has again adjourned the hearing of the protestors at Agbogloshie, who were opposing the demolition of their homes by the Accra Metropolitan (AMA) on August 12, 2015.
The decision followed the failure on the part of the prosecutors to present witnesses in the case to the court for hearing to commence.
The witnesses, who were the police officers on duty at the time the incident happened, could not turn up in court. The presiding Judge, Justice Adwoa Akyaamaa Ofosu, therefore, adjourned the case to August 12, 2015.
The accused persons have been charged with engaging in unlawful demonstration, rioting with weapons and obstructing the public. Meanwhile, some of the accused persons could not turn up, but the translator gave a report for two of the absentees as not feeling well.
Her Worship, Adwoa Akyaamaa Ofosu asked him to transmit the information to them and let them know they will face the consequences if they fail to turn up for the hearing on the adjourned date.
Background
Inspector Haligah, briefing the court, said on June 22, the Greater Accra Regional Police Command had information that some youth of Agbogbloshie, numbering about 3,000 were marching from an area known as ‘Arena’ through the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue to the Parliament House, holding placards.
According to him, the police subsequently proceeded to the place and met the youth, including the accused persons and several others, some of whom were armed with stones and clubs.
Inspector Haligah said the protestors were denied entry by the police. Not satisfied, they ‘uprooted’ flowers at the Parliament House, destroyed the Coat of Arms symbol, some flower pots and other valuables.
The accused persons, not satisfied, later went back to Agbogbloshie and set fire to lorry tyres in the middle of the road to prevent motorists and commuters from plying the road.
He said the accused persons and others, currently at large, wrecked police vehicles with registration numbers GP 8 (Nissan Patrol), GP 1636 (Mahindra Scorpio), GP 3887 (Nissan Navara), GP 1570 and a Honda motorbike.
The prosecutor said these actions by the accused persons, forced many companies and businesses located at Agbogbloshie and its vicinity, including the branches of Barclays and HFC banks, to halt work for the day. The accused persons, numbering 31, were subsequently arrested and arraigned before court.
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