Trader before court for destroying NPP flag

Tamale, Aug. 4, GNA - A Tamale Circuit Court has ordered Ibrahim Wumbei, a Tamale Trader, who destroyed a platform erected by the Gumani Ward of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to rebuild it within seven days or go to jail for 12 months.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Justice Mohammed Nabong also ordered Wumbei to sign a bond to be of good behaviour for a period of 24 months or in default serve six months' imprisonment.

Wumbei, who had earlier been put before a Tamale High Court pleaded not guilty and was granted a 600,000 cedis bail with one surety. He was first put before the High Court because there was no lower court sitting in the Tamale Municipality, since the Circuit Court Judge had travelled to Accra on a course.

Mr Salia Abdul-Quddus, a State Attorney had told the High Court that members of the NPP at Gumani had constructed a platform and erected a flag in front of their office, which is near where Wumbei lived. He said on May 15, Wumbei, who had been threatening to demolish the platform and destroy the flag, carried out his threat, using an axe and a hoe.

Some members of the NPP, therefore, reported the matter to the Police that same day and on the following day the accused was arrested. The Prosecution said upon interrogation the accused admitted destroying the platform but denied touching the flag.

The Circuit court ordered that Wumbei should continue to be on the bail the High Court granted him until he finishes erecting the platform.