Tribunal acquits Tema chief, elder
Apprentice carpenter fined for attacking police officer
Tribunal acquits Tema chief, elder
Tema (Greater Accra) 11 May 99
A community tribunal on Monday acquitted and discharged Nii Adjei Kraku 11, Tema Mantse and Nii Shippi Armah, an elder, in the trial of 13 elders of Tema Traditional Area, following a clash between two factions in a chieftaincy dispute on January 13.
Nii Adjei Kraku and Nii Shippi Armah pleaded alibi.
They were arraigned to show cause why they should not be bounded to keep the peace at Tema Manhean.
The tribunal, chaired by Capt. Philip Agbeyome (rtd) said in a criminal trial, when an accused person raises a plea of alibi, the legal burden shifts to the prosecution to investigate the alibi and lead evidence to contradict it.
The tribunal observed that the fact that others were acting on behalf of the accused persons and they knew of what was happening did not defeat the plea of alibi.
Capt. Agbeyome noted that the purpose of the application is 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.
He called on the Tema Traditional Council to ensure that peace prevails in the area.
About a month ago, the Tribunal bonded Nii Adjetey Kraku III, a claimant of the Tema Stool and leader of the other faction for 18 months or serve 12 months in prison in default.
Ten others from both sides were also bonded to keep the peace for two years or in default serve two years in prison.
The two factions clashed when supporters of Nii Adjei Kraku tried to stop a press conference called by Nii Adjetey Kraku, the third from declaring himself as Tema Mantse.
One person received cutlass wounds while several others received lacerations from whips used in the fight.
GRi../
Apprentice carpenter fined for attacking police officer
Tuobodom (Brong Ahafo) 11 May 99
The Tuobodom community tribunal has sentenced an apprentice carpenter, Awudu Mahamadu from Nsuta, near Techiman, to a fine of 150,000 cedis for assaulting a Police Officer.
Mahamadu who changed his earlier plea of not guilty to guilty will spend five months in prison if he defaults.
The tribunal ordered that 100,000 cedis of the fine if paid, should be given to detective Sergeant Philip Laar, the complainant.
Presenting the case for the prosecution, Chief Inspector S.Y. Jebuni of Nsuta Police Station, told the tribunal chaired by Mr Richard Ahugyakpa that on April 24 this year, one George Amponsah and the accused quarrelled in front of the Nsuta Police Station.
He said detective Sergeant Laar who was on duty at the charge office invited Amponsah and warned him to stop making noise.
Chief Inspector Jebuni said Mahamadu on seeing Amponsah at the charge office thought that he had gone there to make a complainant and became furious.
The prosecution said when accused was told that Amponsah was only being advised, he was not satisfied and attacked sergeant Laar behind the counter.
GRi /