Court grants bail to La Priestess

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA - Two out of eight people, who are accused of cursing and raining insults on the La Police in Accra on Thursday appeared before the La Magistrate's Court charged with three counts of conspiracy, unlawful entry and causing unlawful damage to a fence wall, the property of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

The two, Shankie, a Priestess, and Aishetu Adjetey pleaded not guilty.

The Court granted them bail in the sum of 20 million cedis each to reappear on November 9.

The Court also ordered the two to report to the La Police once a week and issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the remaining six people, who did not appear in Court.

They are Madam Anye; Madam Odei; Adjei Sowah; Okoe and Daddy. Presenting the facts of the case, Sergeant Akwasi Ahenkra Afrifa told the Court that the complainant is a contractor employed by the AMA to construct a new toilet at La.

Sergeant Afrifa said while workers were laying the foundation blocks on October 7, 2006 Shankie and Aishetu led the other six accused persons to break part of the fence wall. They entered the yard, covered the trenches and destroyed the structure. In the process they freed stray animals that were kept by the AMA and only 13 out of 21 animals were found.

When the case was lodged at the Police Station, the accused persons were invited for the Police to hear their version but they declined saying they did not have any land case with the Police. The Prosecution said they used some derogatory words, describing the Police as corrupt.

Counsel for the accused persons, Mr Kofi Frempong Manso denied the charges preferred against his clients and prayed the Court to grant them bail.

He said the charges were mere speculations saying: "My clients did not receive any summons to appear before the Court that was why they are not present.=94