Court orders release of police, military officers for criminal prosecution

The Koforidua Circuit Court 'B' has directed the Attorney General’s office to request the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces to release two officers for criminal prosecution.

The officers, Nana OKyempem Adu VIII, a police officer, and WOI Michael Opare Appiah, a military officer, failed to appear before the court for the second time on Monday, August 12.

They are now scheduled to appear on September 16, 2024.

The officers, along with five other accused individuals – Nana Owusu Ntow, 50, a businessman; Samuel Kwasi Annor, 58, a driver; Ernest Yaw Acheampong Attuah, 47, a carpenter; Yaw Odame, 52, a farmer; and Daniel Ayesu Kumi,70, a businessman face charges of unlawful entry and theft of a Black Stool and other royal items from the Anum Traditional Area.

The case stems from an incident last year when the accused persons allegedly broke into the house of Gyasewahene, Nana Odame Osafo II, stealing the Black Stool, other royal regalia, and two kente cloths valued at GH¢5,800.

At the initial court hearing on July 30, 2024, only three of the accused—Samuel Kwasi Annor, Ernest Yaw Acheampong Attuah, and Yaw Odame—appeared.

They were granted bail of GH¢50,000 each with two sureties and required to provide Ghana cards and sign a justification form.

On August 12, Nana Owusu Ntow appeared before the court with the three others, and he was also granted bail of GH¢50,000 with two sureties, and required to submit his passport.

The court rejected a request by the defense counsel to refer the case to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), upholding the submission by the prosecution that a second-degree felony is not suitable for ADR.

The substantive chieftaincy dispute is currently before the Regional House of Chiefs for determination.