Case against Nana Nyarko III takes another turn

Fiapre (B/A) March 4, GNA - The case of abetment of rioting against Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, took another turn at the Circuit Court at Fiapre near Sunyani. The prosecutor, the Deputy Superintendent of Police Alex Yartey Tawiah on Wednesday, produced a letter from the Attorney-General's Department calling for the docket on the case for thorough investigations to the Court.

He read the letter dated February 17 this year and signed by Mr Cab Bayuo, Chief State Attorney in Sunyani, to the Court indicating that the Attorney General's Office had in effect called for the suspension of proceedings of the case.

"Without delay submit a duplicate of the docket for the study of the Attorney General to enable the prosecution to clarify the situation with the Attorney General", the letter stated.

Mr Justice John Kwadwo Owusu Gyamfi, presiding judge, however noted: "the case is a criminal case and the Criminal Procedure Code Amendment Act 2002 of 633 of Section 17 of the 1992 Constitution, if not withdrawal, does not demand indefinite suspension of such a case" and therefore, adjourned the case till April 2, 2004 for further notice.

Nana Nyarko, who is Omanhene of Prang Traditional Area, and five others are charged with abetment of rioting with offensive weapons contrary to Section 20 (1) 199 of Act 29/60 of the constitution. The five are Yakubu Mussah, Tanko Mohammed, Ayass Mumuni, Kwame Kwarteng Charles and Farid Kofi Denneh.

The people of Prang last year, staged a violent demonstration in the town when it was published in the media that Yeji had been made the capital of the new Pru district.

They blocked the main road that runs through the town to Yeji and destroyed vehicles and other property.

Police and military reinforcement had to be rushed there to quell the riotous behaviour of the people.