Chief arraigned before court

Nii Akyea the second, chief of Acheaman near Amasaman and three landguards, were on Friday remanded in custody by a community tribunal at Amasaman, after they had pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing and causing damage to property.

The four, who were also charged with possessing offensive weapons and causing harm, will re-appear on January 29.

The landguards are Mohammed Douglas, 36, Innocent Ametepe, 27 and Amoah Kwasi 32.

Ibrahim Mantey, alias Papa Nii, another landguard, jointly charged with the four accused is on the run and the tribunal has issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Kponu told the tribunal chaired by Mr W.K. Owusu that on January 17, this year, Nii Akyea ordered the landguards to beat any person found in the bush winning sand on a piece of land between Acheaman and Abehenease.

The prosecutor said the landguards later met three persons, whom they attacked with cudgels and cutlasses, but two of them sensing danger, took to their heels.

A 24-year-old carpenter, Nicholas Lamptey, who was captured by the guards was beaten severely and inflicted several cuts on his body.

Inspector Kponu said a report was made to Pokuase police, who rushed to the scene, found the victim unconscious and took him to Nsawam Government Hospital.