Chief, five others in court for destruction of property

Sekondi, May 14, GNA - Nana Efuaba Amantwi IV, Chief Egyambra near Axim and five others on Thursday appeared before a Sekondi Magistrate Court charged with the destruction of property valued at six million cedis. They all pleaded not guilty and would re-appear before the court on June 17. They included Francis Jomo, alias Fisherman, John Atta Cudjoe, alias Atta Panin and Daniel Ankomah, alias Asempa. The rest were Philip Yankey alias Azure and Nyamekye Borlo.

Presenting the facts of the case, Police Sergeant Andam Okyere told the court that there was a chieftaincy dispute between the chief of Egyambra and one Nana Amoh III and this occasionally led to fighting between supporters of the two.

Sgt. Okyere said on February 2, this year, the supporters of Nana Amoh, returned to the town with sounds systems and played music till the following day, amidst singing and dancing. He said the complainants, John Quansah and Samuel Ackah, both supporters of Nana Amoh, told the group on two occasions to minimise the volume of the system since it was too loud but they ignored him.

The prosecutor said a few minutes later, Daniel Ankomah alias Asempa belonging to the other faction, approached the group and ordered them to stop playing the music since it was too loud but when they ignored him, Nana Amantwi allegedly beat Asafo drums and summoned all his supporters. Sgt. Okyere said later, the group headed towards Quansah's house and damaged the roof, doors and windows, but he managed to escape.