The Winneba High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Abusuapanyin of Gomoa Mpota, Nana Kwesi Gurah for failing to appear before it.
Nana Gurah, charged along with five others for rioting, unlawful damage and causing harm were arrested by Winneba Police on November 10, at Mpota, near Winneba Junction, in the Central Region.
The five were, Ekow Yeboah, Driver, Kwesi Abour, Pharmacist, Ebenezer Amoquandoh, Student at Potsin T I Ahmadiyya Senior High School, Swala and Sani, Unemployed.
They pleaded not guilty and were granted GH¢10,000 Ghana bail each to re-appear on November 25.
The court presided over by Justice Charles A. Wilson ordered the arrest of Abusuapanyin for showing “gross disrespect to the Court”.
Counsel for Nana Gurah, Mr Carb Addai told the court that his client was sick and has been admitted at Agona Swedru Government Hospital.
Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kofi Sarkodie Addo told the court that Nana Oprohn Ekwam I, Omankrado and Regent of Mpota summoned a meeting for heads of family, elders and citizens of the town.
He said the meeting was to discuss current indiscriminate land sale, social and infrastructure development of the town and pending court cases.
ASP Sarkodie Addo said while the meeting was in progress some unknown persons numbering about 30 armed with cutlasses, clubs and pump action guns entered the chief place and started firing warning shots after taken pictures.
He said the group also entered the house of Nana Appiah Baiden, Chief of the town and destroyed property including roofing sheets.
The Prosecution said the Winneba and Agona Swedru Police Task force rushed to the town after receiving distress calls and arrested the five including the Abusuapanyin, Nana Gurah.