The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has been granted bail in the sum of GHc150,000 by the Circuit Court in Accra in his role in the Ahafo Hwediem incident.
He is alleged to have played a role where an angry mob mobilised, vandalised, and assaulted military officers from the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).
In Court on Tuesday, November 4 he appeared on provisional charges including conspiracy to assault a public officer, assault on a public officer, conspiracy to cause unlawful damage, causing unlawful damage, and rioting with weapons. His plea is yet to be taken.
In the additional bail conditions, the court directed that the accused person is not to leave the jurisdiction of the Greater Accra Region to any part of the country without prior notice to the investigator.
He has also been ordered to report to the case investigators once every two weeks until this order is reversed or trial commences. The court cautioned the accused to desist from any behavior that is likely to frustrate the investigation.
Other accused persons, including Zakaria Yakubu, one Alex, and others, are at large. The accused is to reappear in court on December 1, 2025.
Prosecution’s Argument:
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Alex Odonkor, prayed the court to remand the accused for further investigations.
The prosecution argued that the case had assumed a national character, and the CID headquarters had taken over the investigation.
They claimed that the accused, as an influential person, might interfere with the investigation, citing videos circulating on social media showing how the crime was committed.
The prosecution also expressed concerns that the accused might tamper with witnesses and evidence.
READ: Hwidiem: Asutifi North MP denies involvement in mob attack on NAIMOS team
Defense Lawyers’ Argument:
The defense lawyers, led by Enoch Sebastian Owusu, vehemently opposed the prosecution’s prayer for remand urged for him to be granted a self-recognizance bail.
They argued that the accused had presented himself to the police willingly and had no intention of absconding.
As a sitting Member of Parliament, he had a permanent place of abode and no history of evading the law.
The defense argued that the prosecution had not provided concrete evidence to justify the refusal of bail, and that the accused’s detention would be unfair.
They prayed for bail, citing the accused’s right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The defense also highlighted the accused’s family responsibilities, including a newborn baby, and assured the court that he would not interfere with the investigation.
The second defense lawyer added that the accused had a permanent place of abode in Accra and was willing to cooperate with the investigation.
He prayed for favorable bail conditions, assuring the court that the accused would not jump bail.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
