George Bush Highway rioters in court

Two alleged rioters, who went on rampage following a fatal accident on the George Bush N1 Highway at Lapaz, Accra, on Wednesday, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Collins Obeng, an aluminum fabricator, and Stephen Atana Ayamba have pleaded not guilty to rioting with weapons.

The court presided over by Mr Francis Obiri admitted them GHc 10,000 cedis bail with two sureties, to reappear on February 20.

Lawyer for the accused persons, Mr George Asamani, contended that his clients were nowhere near the riot and that the police arrested them when they were passing by.

Mr Asamani prayed the court to admit the accused to bail since the charge preferred against them did not constituted offences for which bail should be refused.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Reindolf Agyemang told the court that the police were making efforts to apprehend 300 persons involved in the crime.

He said the complainants were police personnel from the Monitors Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

DSP Agyeman said on January 21, this year at about 1030 hours, there was a fatal accident on the George Bush N1 Highway at Lapaz.

The court heard that soon after the accident, the accused persons and 300 others now at large, went on rampage on the road, holding offensive instruments such as sticks and iron bars.

DSP Agyemang said the accused persons and their accomplices blocked the Highway with stones and tables, preventing motorist from using the road.

The prosecution said the police patrol team was dispatched to the scene to restore law and order, but the accused persons on seeing the police began throwing stones at them.

DSP Agyeman said the police managed to arrest the accused persons and escorted them to the Tesano Police Station.