Six youth remanded into prison custody

Nkawie (Ash), April 13, GNA - The Nkawie circuit court presided over by Mr Noble Nkrumah has remanded six youth of Ntensere near Akropong in the Atwima-Nwabiagya district into prison custody for allegedly causing harm, unlawful entry and threat of death. The suspects include Kofi Poku, Opoku Mensah, Prince Ababio, Amos Atta Panin, Amos Atta Kakra and Nuhu Isifu.

Three others, Joseph Nyamaah, Isaac Owusu and Rahinatu Kramo, were however, granted bail in the sum of 40 million cedis each. They have all pleaded not guilty.

Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Robert Yitamkey told the court that the District Chief Executive, Mr Thomas Ofori-Donkor paid a familiarization visit to the town last month and during interaction with the unit committee and elders of the town, his attention was drawn to the behaviour of the youth who had persistently been indulging in gambling and smoking of Indian hemp.

According to the prosecution, the District Chief Executive impressed upon the unit committee members to monitor the activities of the suspects.

Chief Inspector Yitamkey said the suspects then destroyed a cassava farm belonging to Kwadwo Boateng, chairman of the unit committee and destroyed it.

He said still not satisfied, the youth moved to the house of Boateng and started throwing stones and other missiles ordering him to come out but he went into hiding.

The prosecution said unable to lay hands on the unit committee chairman, the suspects pursued the other members of the committee and in the process inflicted cutlass wounds on Ernest Abban and Kwadwo Boateng. Due to heightened tension in the town, the court ordered the police to investigate further before the suspects were re-arraigned, for bail to be considered.