Seven okada operators in court over rioting

Seven Okada operators within the Ashaiman municipality are standing trial for causing damage to public and private properties during a protest against the Ashaiman divisional police command.

The Accused persons, Awinie Ibrahim, 27 years, Heloo Agbeko, 26 years, Jacob Momotey, 25 years, Kweku Abgeko, 24 years, Sulemana Isakah 24 years, Isaka Rashid, 24 years, and Sumaila Aremeyaw were all arrested on the 24th of July 2018 during the protest.

They were on rampage over what they claimed “unnecessary harassment by the Police on Okada operators within the Ashaiman municipality.”

Inspector Nunoo–Mensah, prosecuting, told the court presided over by Mr. Gabriel Mate-Teye that, over 500 protesters were seen on the 24th day of July 2018 chanting war songs and marching towards the Ashaiman Divisional Police Command headquarters at Kaketoo, Ashaiman.

The prosecutor further said, the Police attempted to deny them entry into the compound but were hurled with stones and other offensive weapons.

Inspector Mensah stated that DSP Kojo Forson, a police officer, was hit on the head with a stone, a situation he said, called for immediate response from the Police to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets.

He told the court that two police vehicles, a glass door, and sliding windows were all destroyed by the protestors adding that “some private properties were also destroyed”.

The seven accused persons pleaded guilty and prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.

The Judge Mr. Gabriel Mate-Teye noted that, rioting with weapons was an offense contrary to section 199 of the Criminal Offenses Act 26/60.

He further adjourned the case to 25th March 2019 for the final verdict.

Source: GNA