Court-Connected ADR has led to a request for the court to release the accused individuals.
The accused individuals, namely Gideon Amartey (aka Kitinki), Richard Amartey Mensah, Eziel Adjetey Adjei, Nii Anang Mameley, Mensah Ago, Michael Adjei, Amarh Amartey Kwei, Ebenezer Laryea, Joseph Nii Mensah Anang, Emmanuel Ago Doko, Reuben Tetteh, Samuel Armah Amartey, Isaac Mensah Lumor, Isaac Armah, Felix Adjei, Ernest Addo, Wisdom Tawiah, Amos Adjei, Isaac Afotey, Mershark Amartey, and Jospeh Amartey Lartea Perry, were charged with conspiracy to commit the crimes of assault and causing damage. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
The accused persons’ lawyer requested that, given that their families lived in the same vicinity, they would prefer to resolve the matter through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The court granted the defense counsel’s request.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Nii Amartey Kwei III, is the Chief of Kweiman in Accra. In May 2023, the Chief granted a parcel of land in Kweiman to a developer, which was met with opposition from the youth.
On July 6, 2023, the grantee and the Chief began working on the land, but the accused individuals, reportedly armed with offensive weapons, arrived at the site and prevented the developer from proceeding.
The prosecution stated that the accused individuals also went to the Palace and attacked four elders with cutlasses, wood, and metallic objects.
During this altercation, they allegedly destroyed 12 plastic chairs and a table valued at GHC800. A police report was filed, and the accused individuals were subsequently arrested. Medical forms were issued to four complainants— Ibrahim Anum, Benjamin Amartey, Joshua Odai, and Francis Mensah—to seek medical attention. Upon reviewing the medical reports, it was confirmed that the complainants had been assaulted.