I was directed in my dream to pull them down – ‘Big Six’ smasher tells court

Newell Gavu, the man being held for destroying the statues of the Big Six at the Airport Roundabout, claims he was directed by a spirit to carry out the act.

Gavu admitted the offense during police interrogation, stating that a spirit in his dream instructed him to destroy the statues. This was revealed in the facts presented to the Kwabenya Circuit Court, where the case is being heard by Chief Inspector Gershon Achondo on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Newell admitted to the offense in his cautioned statement, according to Chief Inspector Achondo.

Meanwhile, the family of the accused has informed the court that Gavu suffers from a mental health disorder. His uncle, Winnard Kwesi Gavu, previously testified that he took Newell to the Pantang Mental Health Facility in Accra five years ago after he started displaying anti-social behavior.

The 70-year-old retired church accountant explained that the accused was treated, discharged, and placed on medication. However, Newell later stopped taking his medications, discarded them, burnt all his hospital records, and left home.

In an exclusive interview with Angelonline.com.gh court correspondent Ama Brako Ampofo, Mr. Winnard Gavu disclosed that the family is unable to afford further medical treatment for their relative. This followed the judge’s request for them to support the accused’s medical care, as the investigator had been personally funding the suspect’s medical bills after his arrest.

“It is very sad that the court is asking us to support the medical examination this week [because] we do not have money and cannot do anything now,” Mr. Gavu said. He also appealed to the general public for help in securing medical attention for Newell.

Upon hearing the facts presented, the presiding judge, Mrs. Mawusi Bedzirah, ordered the police to ensure that the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital provides a full medical examination of Newell Gavu to expedite the trial.

Medical Records

Police visited the Pantang Mental Hospital to corroborate the claims made by the accused’s uncle but were unable to access the records immediately. Hospital authorities explained that they had migrated from an old record-keeping system to a digital one and would need time to retrieve the older records.

Facts

Chief Inspector Gershon Achondo, narrating the facts to the court, stated that on August 31, 2024, at approximately 4:10 a.m., Henry Akorlie (Jnr.), the complainant in the case, was on his way to work at Kotoka International Airport’s Terminal 3.

Upon reaching the Airport Roundabout, Akorlie spotted the accused, Newell Gavu, using a hammer to break the statues of the Big Six. Akorlie rushed to apprehend Gavu and handed him over to the police.

Police later visited the scene and confirmed that Gavu had destroyed five of the Big Six statues, with one remaining but partially damaged. During interrogation, Gavu admitted to the offense but gave inconsistent statements, later claiming that a spirit in his dream directed him to destroy the statues.

Further police investigation revealed that Gavu and his family were squatters in an uncompleted building at Oyarifa Ampomah Last Stop.

The case has been adjourned to September 18, 2024, pending the results of a full medical examination on the accused.