There was drama at Koforidua Circuit Court “B” when the Presiding Judge His Honour Kwame Polley bluntly described as incompetent, an investigation by Police in a land litigation case between Krobo settlers and Begoro traditional council before him.
The Judge told the police investigator in charge of the case that he did a very poor job during investigation and building the docket for prosecution.
The judge said the facts of the case do not support the charges and similarly do not indict any of the 14 accused persons standing trial .
The judge didn’t mince words when he brutally said “tweaa” in jest to express his disappointment in the investigator and District crime officer at Begoro Police Command.
Fourteen (14) residents of Dedeso, a VRA Resettlement Community are standing trial at the circuit Court for Conspiracy, causing harm and causing damage.
The accused persons are Michael Teye Sackey, a teacher, Randolph Tetteh, teacher, Samuel Batsa, farmer and Simon Tetteh, also a farmer.
The rest of the accused persons are Richard Naakah ,teacher ,Bedasu Kofi Livingston ,farmer , Francis Mausor, farmer, Osom Akwetey, Alex Tetteh Bio, Alex Tetteh bio, Partey Ben, Emmanuel Ahuble, Asare Kofi, Klodu Frederick and Samuel Agbeitor all farmers.
However the 15th accused person, Bullet, is still at large.
Dedeso-Wireko is a VRA resettlement community on 8,700.24KM land acquired by government in 1969 through Executive Instrument (EI.54).
However, the regent of Akyem Begoro Traditional Council Nana Bosompem Ayirepe II says it was not properly acquired by the state therefore the Traditional Council will repossess the land.
This has resulted in a protracted land dispute resulting in many clashes.
The Prosecuting Officer Chief Inspector Owusu Ababio narrated to the court that, on June 26,2021 at about 9:0am ,the regent of Begoro traditional area mobilized a group of men numbering about 20 from Begoro ,Apaa and Nsawam communities armed them with his personal pump action gun and cutlasses hired a Nissan Mini truck with registration number GW 1551-21 and two motorbike and delegated one Nana Barffuor Bimpong to take them onto the disputed land at Perteifoo junction .
On reaching Abuorso police station, Nana Baffour Bimpong Kwakye requested for police escort and Constable Kinni Daniel was detailed to escort the group.
The Chief asked the armed men to take the lead as he went to Dedeso Police station to request more police officers .
The group upon reaching Ashaiman Kope, a village near Dedeso, they met three krobo residents on motorbike which they identified the rider as one of the people claiming ownership of the disputed land during their previous visit hence jumped off the truck and started beating them.
The krobo inhabitants on hearing the incident mobilized and armed themselves with guns and cutlasses and rushed to the scene to fight the thugs.
They outnumbered the thugs, brutalized and inflicted multiple cutlass wounds on two of the thugs namely Godfred Blewusi ,29, and Stephen Tetteh,28. The rioting residents drove two Hyundai mini Trucks to block the road and subsequently set fire into them.
They also allegedly ransacked a room belonging to Abu Madam a farm worker for the regent of Begoro and allegedly stole ghc15,000
The arrival of Police personnel from Begoro helped to restore calm.The Police rushed the two victims to Begoro government Hospital where they were admitted, treated and discharged.
Accused Michael Batsa ,Samuel Batsa and Simon Tetteh were arrested on August 9,2021 at the premises of Begoro District Court.
Randolph Tetteh , Assembly Member was pointed out during a parade for his involvement.
They pleaded not guilty when put before Koforidua Circuit Court “B”.
The Presiding Judge Her Honour Mercy Adei Kotei admitted each to Ghc70,000 bail with two surety.
Bench warrant was issued on the rest of the suspect at large but all appeared in court Wednesday December 5,2022 except Bullet who is still at large.
They were also granted 70,000 bail.
The judge adjourned the case to February 7,2022 and advised the prosecution to build a proper case .
Meanwhile, the docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s department for advise .
Source :Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
