Golden Tulip union chairman, 15 others in court

Sixteen persons, including the union chairman of the Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra, on Monday appeared before an Accra circuit court, accused of chasing and threatening their managers.

They are variously being held for conspiracy, threat of death, being on premises unlawfully, assault and impersonation.

Four of the first six accused persons; Abdulaziz Salifu, Abdullatiff Mohammed, Abdulrauf Seidu and Joe Tidana, have been admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢80,000 with three sureties after pleading not guilty to the charges. Robert Akeyon and Aziz Mohammed are, however, at large.

The rest, who failed to appear in court, are Thomas Mingle, Union Chairman, Awal Mohammed, Vice Chairman, Henrietta Boakye, a Secretary, Luther Tetteh, Youth Organiser, Mustapha Quansah and Alfred Danquah, Trustees, Tish Etipe Aba, Vice Secretary, Anita Owusu Afriyie, Women’s Organiser, Emelia Biney and Alex Adu Gyamfi, members.

The matter has been adjourned to September 18.

The accused persons were alleged to have assaulted the three complainants, Araba Quaigraine, General Manager, Tahidu Bukare, Human Resource Manager, and the Financial Controller of the Hotel.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) A. A. Annor told the court, that the first six accused persons, who are unemployed, reside at Ashalley Botwey and Maamobi.

The prosecutor said the rest of the accused persons are union members of the Hotel.

DSP Annor said on August 11, this year, at about 0900 hours the first six accused persons were among a group of nine ‘Machomen’ hired by the union members to invade the hotel.

The accused persons confronted the General Manager, the Human Resource Manager and Financial Controller to hand over their office keys to them after introducing themselves as operatives from the National Security.

The accused persons, however, failed to produce their identity cards.

Prosecution said the first six accused persons threatened to kill Ms Quaigraine when she refused to hand over the keys.

The accused persons forcefully collected the keys and manhandled them after chasing her and two of her colleagues out of their respective offices.

DSP Annor said the complainants reported the matter to the police and four of the accused person were arrested.

During interrogation it came to light that it was the union members who hired the first six accused persons.

When the union members were invited by the police they failed to turn up hence they were served with summons to appear in court.