This is because the age of one of the suspects has been challenged by the Attorney General’s department.

[contextly_sidebar id=”UjC8gDaKcY9HqdyRXJ29NNoS8CEN24MV”]The AG’s Department contends that one of the suspects is aged over 18 years, and is now pushing for the case to be tried in a regular court.

Thus the suspects were released as initial charges of conspiracy to rape and defilement were dropped, but they were rearrested by police immediately after the in-camera hearing at the Asokwa District Court.

The case has now been referred to an open court to continue with proceedings.

But one of the lawyers for the suspects, E. O. Opoku, insisted to Citi News that his clients were juveniles since their ages had not yet been proven.

The lawyer said he had submitted birth certificates “of some of them” which proved they are juveniles.

“The AG is making a case that one of them is not a juvenile and is therefore praying the court to send the case to a court of summary jurisdiction… We are saying that the court cannot make the referral to the Court of Summary jurisdiction on the basis that no determination has been made as to the age of the children. To us, they are all juveniles and must be tried by the juvenile court.”

In December 2017, three suspects were initially arrested after a video, which allegedly showed them and four others, sexually assaulting a girl, went viral, and was met with widespread criticism from the Ghanaian public.

Two more persons have since been arrested for their alleged involvement in the sexual assault since the beginning of 2018.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post AG wants Bantama sexual assault suspects tried as adults appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Three suspects were initially arrested and are facing a Juvenile court after a video, which allegedly showed them and four others, sexually assaulting a girl, went viral, and was met with widespread criticism from the Ghanaian public.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Dhv79ezTjP7rs44HaYX2LejY9jVC7tjx”]The Police confirmed the three arrests, stating that the suspects are Junior High School and Senior High School students, but refused to reveal their ages.

Lawyer for the suspects, John Boamah, revealed to Citi News, that a fourth person had been detained by the police in connection with the incident.

“Someone else has also been arrested and that person is also duly represented, he has legal representation.”

He also confirmed that the four suspects had been taken back into police custody after making an appearance before the Juvenile Court, which was held in-camera, and will reappear on January 17.

“The whole fact of the matter is that, as it is in the domain of the media, that the police needed time for further investigations. Nothing much happened today. The juveniles have been taken back to the Juvenile cells to come back next week. We are waiting for the prosecution, whatever information they have for us. The media houses are saying that there is an alleged rape, the police might also think otherwise so let’s wait,” he said.

‘Flog suspects’

The Member of Parliament for Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, Patricia Appiagyei, sparked a public debate when she called for the three boys arrested in connection with the alleged assault to be flogged publicly as punishment.

She believes that sentencing the boys to serve time in jail would not rehabilitate them, adding that the humiliation that comes with being publicly caned would deter others better than a prison term.

“I don’t think prison will change them. It even hardens them because we don’t have the kind of atmosphere where people can really reflect, and then show remorse for what they have done…but when you are publicly punished I believe that will make you better…I believe [flogging] them will help,” the MP is quoted as having said by Accra-based Starr FM.

The legislator also said the suspects must have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol to have committed the alleged assault.

She blamed a lack of “parental care” for the boys’ alleged actions, suggesting that they should have been advised against certain activities and influences.

“The things that could have urged the young ones to indulge in this kind of sodomy as I call it, is either they were under the influence of alcohol or were on drugs,” she added.

“But like I said, they are showing their wild edge, they have started having feelings and therefore were examining their feelings and directed it [there] because they don’t have the right parental care to tell them that there are certain things that we don’t do in our society.”

Care for the victim

Citi News sources say the victim is currently at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital undergoing a medical examination.

ASP Juliana Obeng said the victim is cooperating with the Police in its investigation into the matter.

Three other alleged accomplices in the act are still at large.

–

By: Edwin Kwakofi & Minna Dablu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post One more suspect arrested in Bantama sexual assault case appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

They are to re-appear on  10th January 2018. A recording of the act went viral on social media, prompting public uproar and subsequent action by the police.

[contextly_sidebar id=”QNXhVHj6fNXCOOXgZ201JKIprFL5XTPI”]Relatives of the suspects trooped to the Asokwa District Court today [Wednesday] to witness proceedings.

Three other suspects are reportedly on the run, after one reported himself to the police bringing the arrested suspects to four.

Speaking to journalists after today’s [Wednesday] hearing, Lawyer for the accused persons, John Boamah, emphasized the need for patience to be exercised in prosecuting the suspects, saying“We need not be in a rush for the matter to be prosecuted. What the prosecution is saying is that there is the need for further investigations to be done. Just last week we had information that one of the juveniles has been arrested. It means more work has to be done and on the basis of that and in the wisdom of the court, the juveniles are in the legal custody in the sense that they have been remanded into juvenile cells where parents have the right to visit them.”

“ The first time they came was not a period for the juvenile court to sit so the Police had to send them back to the police cells, so in the legal sense, the way the attention is being given will never help matters. Now as it stands, so many legal issues and factual issues are yet to be determined, matters relating to juveniles. The age is of essence as to whether or not Police have been able to determine the ages is very important. We need to exercise a bit of patience.”

The three boys were arrested after a video, which allegedly showed them and four others, sexually assaulting a girl, went viral, and was met with widespread criticism from the Ghanaian public.

The Police in confirming the arrest of the first three suspects, revealed that they were Junior High School and Senior High School students, but refused to reveal their ages.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Hearing of Bantama sexual assault case resumes on Jan. 10 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Juvenile Court, was presided over by His Worship, Peter Oppong Boahen, at the Asokwa District Court.

[contextly_sidebar id=”9JtHhlVbts0LHjCKlo5dK9Ao74IUcxhj”]According to the lawyer for the suspects, John Boamah, the prosecution told the court that they are still investigating the matter.

“We will come back next week for determination of the matter. With juvenile cases when we talk of remands, they could be in the custody of their parents or they may be in the juvenile cells that’s all, we do not remand them. According to the police, investigation is still ongoing, so not until the matter is proved that they are guilty, we don’t need to have any further discussion that is my humble prayer to the press, so we need to keep calm, at the end of the trial, the truth will come to light”he said.

Proceedings will be in-camera because the suspects are juveniles.

The three boys were arrested on Saturday after a video, which allegedly showed them and four others, sexually assaulting a girl, went viral, and was met with widespread criticism from the Ghanaian public.

The Police confirmed the arrests at a press conference stating that, the suspects are Junior High School and Senior High School students, but refused to reveal their ages.

The whereabouts of the four accomplices are still unknown.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani&Farida Yusif/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Sexual assault suspects remanded, hearing resumes on Dec. 27 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

She believes that sentencing the boys to serve time in jail would not rehabilitate them, adding that the humiliation that comes with being publicly caned would deter others better than a prison term.

This manner of corporal punishment is known in some Islamic countries where the Sharia law is strictly observed.

[contextly_sidebar id=”if005smeblmFyNGer7VetOQgU40841jQ”]“I don’t think prison will change them. It even hardens them because we don’t have the kind of atmosphere where people can really reflect, and then show remorse for what they have done…but when you are publicly punished I believe that will make you better…I believe [flogging] them will help,” the MP is quoted as having said by Accra-based Starr FM.

The three boys,  who will appear before a Juvenile court today [Wednesday] were arrested, on Saturday after a video, which allegedly showed them and four others, sexually assaulting a girl, went viral, and was met with widespread criticism from the Ghanaian public.

The Police confirmed the arrests at a press conference stating that, the suspects are Junior High School and Senior High School students, but refused to reveal their ages.

According to the prosecution, the case, which was supposed to have been heard on Tuesday in-camera by a Juvenile Court, had to be postponed to today [Wednesday], due to the absence of some relevant stakeholders expected to be in the at the in-camera sitting.

‘Drugs, alcohol influenced them’

The legislator also said the suspects must have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol to have committed the alleged assault.

She blamed a lack of “parental care” for the boys’ alleged actions, suggesting that they should have been advised against certain activities and influences.

“The things that could have urged the young ones to indulge in this kind of sodomy as I call it, is either they were under the influence of alcohol or were on drugs,” she added.

“But like I said, they are showing their wild edge, they have started having feelings and therefore were examining their feelings and directed it [there] because they don’t have the right parental care to tell them that there are certain things that we don’t do in our society.”

The four alleged accomplices in the act are still at large, but according to Patricia Appiagyei “we don’t have to waste time to get the rest, you know they are minors.”

–

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bantama sexual assault suspects must be flogged publicly – Asokwa MP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the prosecution, the case, which was supposed to have been heard on Tuesday, had to be postponed to today[Wednesday] due to the absence of some relevant stakeholders expected to be at the in-camera hearing.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0RKZYSWaHA59G48x49g6tQXpJEweLQTt”]Police say the ages given by the suspects are still a subject for investigations, although it is quite clear that they are minors.

According to the Head of Legal and Prosecution at the Ashanti Regional Police Command, ACP Okyere Darko, the three suspects have been charged with rape and sexual assault.

ACP Darko, who declined speaking on record, told Citi News that two of the suspects mentioned their ages to be 16 and 17.

He said the Police are however investigating to ascertain their real ages.

Citi News sources say, the police have since identified parents of the traumatized victim who was reportedly evasive in opening up during the investigation process.

The sources added that, the victim is receiving special care from the police, and is undergoing medical examination.

The incident, which has taken centre stage in public discussions, has received widespread condemnation.

The three boys were arrested on Saturday after a video, which allegedly showed them and four others, sexually assaulting a girl, went viral, and was met with widespread criticism from the Ghanaian public.

The Police confirmed the arrests at a press conference stating that, the suspects are Junior High School and Senior High School students, but could not reveal their ages.

The whereabouts of the four accomplices are still unknown.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Police to investigate ages of Bantama sexual assault suspects appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the prosecution, the case, which was supposed to have been heard today [Tuesday], had to be postponed due to the absence of some relevant stakeholders expected to be in the at the in-camera sitting.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ttlZ37V6GyItzb6NJjLPoAvLEMp4qEGG”]Proceedings will be in-camera because the suspects are juveniles.

Relatives of some of the suspects trooped to the Asokwa District Court One to witness proceedings, which could not come off.

The suspects were in a somber mood when they were brought into the courtroom, and have since been taken back into police custody.

The three boys were arrested on Saturday after a video, which allegedly showed them and four others, sexually assaulting a girl, went viral, and was met with widespread criticism from the Ghanaian public.

The Police confirmed the arrests at a press conference stating that, the suspects are Junior High School and Senior High School students, but refused to reveal their ages.

The whereabouts of the four accomplices are still unknown.

“The command has arrested 3 suspects. The arrest of these suspects was made on Saturday, 16^th December 2017 at their various homes at Bantama. The three suspects and their 4 accomplices who are currently at large are all students….Two of the 3 arrested are in SHS 1 and the other in JHS 3,” she said.

Care for the victim

Citi News sources say the victim is currently at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital undergoing a medical examination.

ASP Juliana Obeng said the victim is cooperating with the Police in its investigation into the matter.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani & Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bantama sexual assault suspects to face Juvenile Court today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is according to the Ashanti Regional Police Command, which has vowed to pursue the matter and ensure justice is served.

The Police is however not ready to reveal the ages of the teenagers.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BxKBwfEj3X76YgE2ACLQPw7Nr6QkpCcu”]The Public Relations Officer of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, ASP Juliana Obeng, at a media briefing on the incident today [Monday], said the police had identified 4 accomplices who are currently at large.

“The command has arrested 3 suspects. The arrest of these suspects was made on Saturday, 16^th December 2017 at their various homes at Bantama. The three suspects and their 4 accomplices who are currently at large are all students….Two of the 3 arrested are in SHS 1 and the other in JHS 3,” she said.

Many Ghanaians are enraged over a recent viral video in which about seven young boys, were seen forcibly having sex with the teenager.

In the video which has been in circulation on social media, the young boys were seen taking turns to sexually assault the helpless teenager.

Citi News gathered that the incident occurred at Bantama in the Ashanti Regional capital.

Various civil society groups have already condemned the incident, and called on the police to take immediate action against the suspects.

ASP Juliana Obeng told the media that “all three suspects are currently in police custody assisting in police investigations, while efforts are being made to arrest the other 4.”

When did the incident happen?

The Police’s revelation that it carried out the arrest on Saturday, nearly two days before the video was circulated on social media, seems to suggest that the Police had gotten wind of the crime but had shielded it from public attention.

It therefore remains unclear when the actual incident happened.

Care for the victim

Citi News sources say the victim is currently at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital undergoing a medical examination.

ASP Juliana Obeng said the victim is cooperating with the Police in its investigation into the matter.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bantama gang-rape suspects JHS 3, SHS 1 students – Police appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

They claimed they had moved in to prevent the revenue collectors from stealing the money.

This incident mirrors some others across the country where suspected NPP members have raided and vandalized government installations, like most recently in Bodi in the Western Region, where they besieged and locked up the office of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the area on Monday.

One of the KMA revenue collectors who spoke to Citi News said they had tried to reason with rampaging men but to no avail.

“They say their party is now in power so they attacked us and took all the revenue we collected. Even when we asked them to come to the office with us, they didn’t listen,” the man lamented.

“We told them we are with the KMA so if anything at all, we take instruction from the office. If our bosses sack us from our post we have no problem, but we haven’t heard any such thing only for them to assault us and make away with the revenue we had collected all in the name of our government is now in power,”

The macho men also made sure their voices were heard and said were only ensuring proper accountability of the revenue collected.

“As it stands now, we have been asked to send everything to the office so we are taking everything there. We are told not to handle the money. God willing we will come and take the money. We are taking all the money and the tickets to see if they tally. If we are lackadaisical  about it, there is no way things will work out.”

“We are taking what belongs to us like the youth employment and NADMO. We will go and sack the appointees. I went there around 6 in the morning and they were doing nothing.”

There have been some reports that the Macho men said they were acting on the orders of the NPP’s Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer, Shaibu Bamabu.

–

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bantama: Macho men besiege markets, public toilets appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the Council, Otumfuo Akyeamehene, Nana Nsuase Opoku Agyeman III, revealed that the Queenmother will be laid in state from Monday, 16th January 2017, to Thursday, 19th January 2017.

This according to the Akyeamhene, it is the ‘Doteyie’ and not the final funeral rites for the late Queenmother.

Other arrangements for the funeral rites are as follow:

MONDAY

All Nananom in the Asante Kingdom will file past the Queen and pay their last respect from morning till 11am. At 11am, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will file past his late mother. He will then sit to receive sympathizers. Members of the public can file past the Queenmother afterwards.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

Kings and Chiefs outside the Asante Kingdom are expected to file past the late Queenmother and show their last respect. The President of the republic of Ghana, past Ghanaian Presidents, Ministers, All Government officials as well as top business men and women will also show their last respect on Tuesday and Wednesday. Dignitaries from Swaziland, Seychelles, Là Cote D’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and other countries are also expected to file past the Queenmother on Wednesday.

THURSDAY

His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will not sit to receive sympathizers on Thursday. The Akyeamhene noted that, he will only sit for an hour to receive greetings from dignitaries who could not get the chance the previous day to greet him.

The Queenmother will at 11am on Thursday morning be taken to St. Cyprians Anglican Church for a Burial Mass. Akyeamhene said only accredited people will be allowed into the Church Auditorium, whereas members of the public will be hosted at the Jubilee park, where a giant screen will be mounted, displaying happenings at the Church.

The body will then be marched through the pricipal streets in the capital including Adum and Bantama; where wreaths will be laid.

The Queenmother will be taken to Breman, were she will be put to rest.

As part of the arrangements for the burial of the Queenmother, no one is to be seen on the streets of Bantama to Breman, from 6:00pm of Thursday, 19th January to 3:00am of Friday 20th January.

The Akyeamhene said the Manhyia Palace will not be held accountable for the lives of people and domestic animals who are seen loitering at that said times.

SECURITY

According to the Akyeamhene, the planning committee the Military and the police will be deployed to help in crowd management, and ensuring law and order through the 4-day period.

MEDICAL

Head of the Medical team, Mawerehene, Nana Baafour Osei Hyeaman Brantuo VI says measures have been put in place to cater for all medical needs that may arise. “We stitched about 20 arms and legs during the funeral of the Late Nana Opoku Ware II, because of stampede, and so we are very ready this time.” He added that, “medical tents will be mounted at vantage points, and people can seek for medical care during the days of mourning.”

COSTUME

All mourners should be in the official mourning cloth, ‘Kuntunkuni’, or anything black, except dignitaries from other countries who are not permitted to do so by culture.

SANITATION

Otumfuo’s Mawerehene, Nana Baafour Osei Hyeaman Brantuo VI admonished people living close to principal streets in Kumasi to tidy up the streets and keep clean the surroundings before Monday 16th January.

Otumfuo Akyeamhene added that no shop should be seen open on Thursday.

BACKGROUND

The death of the Queenmother of the Ashanti Kingdom was reported in the late hours of 15th November 2016.

The Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II passed away at the age of 109 years. he biological mother of the current occupant of the Golden Stool. She was the Asantehemaa for 39 years.

She was the biological mother of the current occupant of the Golden Stool. She was the Asantehemaa for 39 years.

–

By: Lauretta Timah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Asanteman announces arrangements for late Queenmother’s funeral appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.