Seven suspects who were accused of assaulting a police officer at a snap check between Wonoo and Akotsosu in the Ashanti Region have been granted bail by the Effiduase District Court. The court presided over by Justice Frank Nii Ashetey Addo, admitted the seven suspects to bail and requested that they present one surety each in the sum of GHs10,000 each.
The suspects were charged with Conspiracy to commit a crime and assault on a public officer, while one of them, Thomas Kusi, is currently hospitalized from injuries sustained in the brawl. The prosecution requested that the court only head the charges and case details to the suspects since investigations into the incident remain incomplete.
The facts of the case presented to court revealed that the suspects struggled with the police officer, Gen/Cpl Sylvestre Nana Berhene, in an attempt to stop him from conducting a check on their vehicle. The struggle resulted in the discharge of the police officer’s rifle, and the suspects further assaulted the officer as his phone was stolen.
A driver of the vehicle in which the suspects were in, Felix Boateng, was also charged with failure to use all reasonable means to stop the commitment of felony by the six. The prosecution pleaded for the suspects to be remanded to complete investigations, but the defence counsel, Henry Ohemeng, prayed the court to grant them bail since the offence is a misdemeanour.
The court granted the bail application and condemned attacks against public officers. The court added that if civilians go about attacking police officers, the security of the citizenry, including that of the magistrate, is not assured. The families of the suspects received the news in excitement, while the police officer who sustained injuries at the knee remains hospitalized.
The case highlights the need for citizens to respect the law and not engage in acts of violence against public officers. It also underscores the importance of investigations being completed before suspects are arraigned before court. It is hoped that justice will prevail in this case, and the suspects will be held accountable for their actions if found guilty.
