The Circuit Court in Accra has discharged 7 of 9 Democracy Hub protesters who were arraigned and charged together with others for unlawful assembly.
This follows State Prosecutors information to the Court presided over by His Honour Kwabena Kodua Obiri Yeboah that those seven would no longer be prosecuted when a set of nine appeared on Tuesday, October 22.
Assistant State Attorney, Amanda Awadey told the Court that the Republic had taken the decision 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 & NSS personnel at Parliament and Agbevi Matthias, a teacher and Ernest Acheampong, a businessman into pure water distribution company, she noted that a new charge sheet would be filed against them.
The Prosecutoon informs the Vouer that they have filed the second batch of their disclosures and Witness Statement by the next adjourned date.
The case has since been adjourned to November 21.
They all pleaded not guilty to five counts of conspiracy, unlawful assembly, causing unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace and assault on public officer.
Brief facts
It is the case of the prosecution 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 #Wetaya#ReoccupyJulorbihouse Demonstration.”
It stated that, by that letter, the group requested the police to provide them with security and protection for the intended demonstration.
The group indicated that they intended to protest at the Revolutionary Square, opposite the Jubilee House.
“After several meetings with the Police, the group was advised by the Police to propose an alternative venue as the chosen venue was considered a security zone and likely to affect public order and lead to violence or endanger public defence.
“By an order of the High Court dated 1gth September, 2024, the group was prohibited from embarking on the intended demonstration at the Revolutionary square.
“The Police thus communicated to the convener of the group and suggested 7 different locations to be used for the protest in the interest of public order,” the Prosecution narrated.
The group, however, rejected the proposed venues and elected to protest at the 37 roundabout which was rejected by the Police.
On 21st September, 2024 the group embarked on their protest and gathered around the
37-roundabout insisting to proceed to the revolutionary square.
It stated that, the Police mounted barricades around the 37 roundabouts in a bid to maintain security and order.
The barricades restrained the demonstrators from proceeding to the Revolutionary square.
“The demonstration suddenly turned chaotic as the accused persons resorted to blocking the major roads with stones and vehicles delaying access at the roundabout.
“This caused serious traffic within the Liberation Road, the El Wak stadium, the Kawukudi road and its environs,” the Prosecution informed the Court.
This caused significant traffic, delay, inconvenience and annoyance for commuters. The accused persons also pulled down billboards and burnt electoral posters and flags of political parties.
Again, “the suspects forcefully pushed down the police barricade that was used to secure the area obstructing the effort of the police to maintain peace and security.”
Source: www.kumasimail.com /Murtala Inusah
