"My client was pelting at his dog not the police"

Kumasi, March 25, GNA - A lawyer's attempt to get bail for his client charged with assault of two police officers sent a packed court laughing when he told the Court that his client's stone was meant for his dog, who had broken away but not the Officers. Mr Ohene Mensah's client was part of a group of Manso Nkwanta town folks who were alleged to have attacked the police personnel with stones and sticks for protecting workers of the Medas Mining Company located in the Amansie West District.

According to the Counsel, Samuel Apiga is not one of the residents but is a worker in the area and was chasing his dog which had broken away, with a stone but not the policemen. However, Apiga who pleaded not guilty to the charge was refused bail and was remanded in prison custody to re-appear on April 3, 2009. Mr Eric Baah, the presiding judge of the Kumasi Circuit Court IV stated that his release might interfere with police investigations due to the fact that the rest were on the run. He explained that the facts given by the prosecution were formidable as well as an offence against public officers which must receive higher punishment.

Police Chief Inspector Nana Amofah, prosecuting told the Court that, the accused is an illegal miner (Galamsey operator), whilst the complainants General Corporal William K. Gadikor and General Constable Joseph Gyau Yeboah are police officers of the Buffalo Unit. He noted that lately, there had been attacks on the workers of the Medas Mining Company by the Manso Nkwanta town folks and the company called for police protection. Since then, police have been escorting the workers, but were attacked on March 20, 2009, with stones and sticks, Chief Inspector Amofa said. The prosecutor stressed that, the attackers were chased by the police who managed to arrest only the accused with the stone which was used as an exhibit.