Four residents of Dedeso and Nyinase in the Fanteakwa North District in the Eastern Region have been arrested and put before court for their alleged involvement in bloody clashes that ensued between them and armed thugs that invaded a land under dispute between Akyems and Krobos in the area.
The accused persons are Michael Teye Sackitey (a Teacher), Randolph Tetteh (Assembly Member), Samuel Batsa, and Simon Tetteh.
The rest of the accused at large are; Richard Nacca, Tetteh Piti Ossom, Alex Tettehbio, Francis Mausour, Benjamin, and Emmanuel Ahogbe. The others are Freddie, Course Trouble, Kofi Asare, Ossom Akwetey, and Bullet.
The accused persons are all inhabitants of Dedeso and surrounding villages.
Conspicuously missing are the 20-armed thugs who invaded the community. It is not clear why none of them has not been arrested.
The accused persons have been charged for conspiracy to commit crime, causing harm, and causing damage.
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 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 Binpong Kwakye requested for police escort which Constable Kinni Daniel was detailed to escort the group.
The Chief asked thugs to take the lead as he went to Dedeso to Police station for more men. The thugs upon reaching Ashaiman Kope a village near Dedeso, 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 Stephe Tetteh,28.The rioting residents drove two Hyundai mini Trucks to block the road and subsequently set fire into it.
They also allegedly ransacked a room belonging to a farmworker for the regent of Begoro.
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.
The accused persons were arrested on August 9, 2021 at the premises of Begoro District Court. Randolph Tetteh was pointed out during a parade for his involvement but later the regent of Begoro also pointed out Samuel Batsa as one of the suspects.
They pleaded not guilty when put before Koforidua Circuit Court “B” on Wednesday, August 11,2021.
The Presiding Judge Her Honour Mercy Adei Kotei admitted each to Ghc70, 000 bail with two surety.
Source : Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
