Six granted bail for assault in Tarkwa

Six young men who allegedly assaulted a barber and destroyed his properties worth GH¢29,400.00 have been granted GH¢15,000.00 bail each with five sureties to be justified by the Tarkwa circuit court.

The six, Obed Opoku 29, Mohammed Awel 26, Kassim Osman 30, Haruna Issah 23, Ali Shaibu 29, Tofique Bawa 27, are all illegal miners, while Ebenezer Botsio 20, is a gold buyer.

They all pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit crime, assault, causing unlawful damage and stealing and would reappear in court on 5 February.

Chief Inspector Faustina Celestina Anaman, prosecuting, told the court that the complainant, Wisdom Quagye owns a barbering shop at Tarkwa market circle.

She said the accused persons are residents of Tarkwa and belonged to a group called "Abolos" with suspects Mohammed Awel alias Apakalo and Ali Jara who are both at large as gang leaders.

On January 13, 2019, around 2130 hours, a misunderstanding ensued between Mohammed, Haruna and one Ransford Baiden while they were at a tavern located at Low Cost, a suburb of Tarkwa.

Mohammed and Haruna called Tofique for assistance and he informed the others.

Inspector Anaman said he quickly mobilized the group members which included Obed, Kassim, Ali, Ebenezer and other members who are currently on the run.

They then boarded a Kia truck and proceeded to the tavern but on arrival, Ransford had already left the scene.

According to the prosecution, because the accused knew Ransford was the complainant's best friend, they went to his barbering shop to search for him but met his absence.

She said they, therefore, vented their anger on the complainant and subjected him to severe beatings in front of his shop until he managed to escaped.

The group, however, vandalized the complainant's glass door, mirror, sterilizer, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, showcase and laptop all valued at GH¢20,400.00 and also made away with his daily sales of GH¢900.00.

Inspector Anaman said they went to the complainant's gym centre and vandalized the place after which they took away some gym equipment.

A complaint was lodged with the police and the accused persons were subsequently arrested.