A Circuit Court in Accra has discharged seven of the nine Democracy Hub protesters who were arraigned and charged, along with others, for unlawful assembly.
This decision came after the State Prosecutors informed the court, presided over by His Honour Kwabena Kodua Obiri Yeboah, that they were discontinuing charges against the seven when the case was called on Tuesday, October 22.
State Attorney Amanda Awadey told the court that the Republic had decided to discontinue the matter against seven of the protesters.
The accused persons who have been freed are Kingsley Asiedu, Seth Cofie, Vera Gloria Louis, Nii Quaye Hammond, Manuel Biney, Dorsese Joseph, and Ernest Acheampong.
The remaining two—Dela Quarshie, a businessman and NSS personnel at Parliament, and Agbevi Matthias, a teacher—will have a new charge sheet filed against them.
The prosecution informed the court that they have filed the second batch of their disclosures and witness statements by the next adjourned date.
The case has since been adjourned to November 21.
All accused pleaded not guilty to five counts: conspiracy, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, and assault on a public officer.
Brief Facts
It is the prosecution’s case that the accused persons are part of a group of protesters.
On July 9, 2024, the police service received a notice from a group known as “Democracy Hub,” informing them of their intention to hold a protest dubbed the #Wetaya#ReoccupyJulorbihouse Demonstration.
In that letter, the group requested the police to provide them with security and protection for the intended demonstration, indicating that they intended to protest at the Revolutionary Square, opposite the Jubilee House.
After several meetings with the police, the group was advised to propose an alternative venue, as the chosen location was considered a security zone and likely to affect public order, potentially leading to violence or endangering public safety.
By an order of the High Court dated September 19, 2024, the group was prohibited from embarking on the intended demonstration at the Revolutionary Square.
The police communicated with the convener of the group and suggested seven different locations for the protest in the interest of public order.
However, the group rejected the proposed venues and elected to protest at the 37 Roundabout, which was also rejected by the police.
On September 21, 2024, the group embarked on their protest and gathered around the 37 Roundabout, insisting on proceeding to the Revolutionary Square.
The police mounted barricades around the 37 Roundabout in a bid to maintain security and order.
The barricades prevented the demonstrators from proceeding to the Revolutionary Square.
The demonstration suddenly turned chaotic as the accused persons resorted to blocking major roads with stones and vehicles, causing significant traffic delays along Liberation Road, El Wak Stadium, Kawukudi Road, and its environs.
The accused persons also pulled down billboards and burned electoral posters and flags of political parties.
Additionally, “the suspects forcefully pushed down the police barricade that was used to secure the area, obstructing the police’s efforts to maintain peace and security.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
