Tema (Greater Accra) 11 May ?99
A community tribunal on Monday acquitted and discharged Nii Adjei Kraku 11, Tema Mantse and Nii Shippi Armah, an elder, in the trial of 13 elders of Tema Traditional Area, following a clash between two factions in a chieftaincy dispute on January 13.
Nii Adjei Kraku and Nii Shippi Armah pleaded alibi.
They were arraigned to show cause why they should not be bounded to keep the peace at Tema Manhean.
The tribunal, chaired by Capt. Philip Agbeyome (rtd) said in a criminal trial, when an accused person raises a plea of alibi, the legal burden shifts to the prosecution to investigate the alibi and lead evidence to contradict it.
The tribunal observed that the fact that others were acting on behalf of the accused persons and they knew of what was happening did not defeat the plea of alibi.
Capt. Agbeyome noted that the purpose of the application is to bring peace to Tema Manhean and keep the contestants at arm's length and warned that the judgment should not be a signal for any jubilation.
He called on the Tema Traditional Council to ensure that peace prevails in the area.
About a month ago, the Tribunal bonded Nii Adjetey Kraku III, a claimant of the Tema Stool and leader of the other faction for 18 months or serve 12 months in prison in default.
Ten others from both sides were also bonded to keep the peace for two years or in default serve two years in prison.
The two factions clashed when supporters of Nii Adjei Kraku tried to stop a press conference called by Nii Adjetey Kraku, the third from declaring himself as Tema Mantse.
One person received cutlass wounds while several others received lacerations from whips used in the fight.
