Mr Derrick Adu-Gyamfi who represented George Osei Mensah, the accused, argued that there had been an unreasonable delay in the trial of his client.

[contextly_sidebar id=”1maUnKDcXdVG5GRGRPdKbEEva9nGtyUX”]He pointed out to the court presided over by Mr Richard D. Anku that the full report from the pathologist was not ready and the Police are still waiting for the said report to facilitate their investigations as well as build a duplicate docket to the Office of the Attorney General for advice.

“This is a clear case of unreasonable delay and my client’s liberty is being curtailed. My client is innocent until he has been proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,” defence counsel said.

According to the counsel, he was not seeking bail because the district court did not have the jurisdiction to grant bail.

He therefore appealed to the Court to impress upon the Police to expedite action on the matter.

Prosecuting Inspector Joyce Ninson told the court that the Police are still waiting for the full autopsy report from the pathologist.

Prosecution said the Police would need the report to enable them to build a duplicate docket to be sent to the Attorney General’s Department for advice.

The court, therefore ordered the prosecution to expedite action in securing the autopsy report for the trial to commence.

“I advise that the prosecution should liaise with the Pathologist and the Attorney General so that trial would continue,” the Magistrate said.

The matter has been adjourned to April 5.

Mensah was put before the court for allegedly stabbing Martin Tweneboah aka Vandal Tipsy, aged 32 with a broken bottle at the Commonwealth Hall on December 9, 2017.

The accused, who is facing a provisional charge of murder have had his plea reserved by the court.

The case of prosecution was that Mensah and Tweneboah attended a funeral of a former student of the University of Ghana, who was a vandal at Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region.

Prosecution said while the two were in the Commonwealth Hall van on their way back to Accra, they engaged in a heated argument over who was a vandal and who was not.

According to prosecution, Tweneboah allegedly ordered Mensah to get out of the van since it was for vandals.

When the two arrived at the University‘s campus, the argument heated up and Mensah allegedly grabbed an empty bottle, broke it and stabbed Tweneboah multiple times in the neck.

A report was made to the Police after Tweneboah had been rushed to the Legon Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

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Source: GNA

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At the first court hearing on Tuesday, the Madina District Magistrate Court presided over by His Lordship, Richard Delali Anku, adjourned the case to give the police ample time to conclude their investigations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hg6eDnli6dOydV5U6CFFl7zEEeA562DD”]The suspect, George Osei Mensah, is standing trial for allegedly killing Martin Tweneboah Kodua [Chief Tipsy], an Old Vandal, at Commonwealth Hall on Saturday, December 9. 2017.

A pathologist at the 37 Military Hospital is expected to conduct an autopsy on the deceased, and submit the report to the Police.

What happens next?

The Attorney General’s department will be furnished with the suspect’s statement, autopsy report and docket for advice.

The trial is expected to commence after the AG’s advice on the matter.

The suspect’s plea may be taken at the next hearing if the police concludes its investigations, and the autopsy report is ready with the AG’s advice sought on the matter.

The suspect faces a likely charge of manslaughter or murder.

Background

The suspect is reported to have stabbed an Old Vandal, whose name was given as Nathaniel Tweneboah Koduah, alias Chief Tipsy multiple times on Saturday night, at the charging grounds of Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana.

The incident occurred after a heated argument between the two while they traveled back to campus from a funeral of an Old Vandal.

According to the Old Vandals Association, the two were separated on several occasions during their heated arguments on the bus.

“The argument became heated and the two had to be separated on several occasions by others. It went on and on. So, when we got to Atomic Junction, the driver was advised to stop and the two were thrown out of the bus. Others joined them.”

“When they got to the Hall, they had not stopped. It was at this time that the killer allegedly grabbed the knife of the khebab seller and cut the victim several times with it. The victim bled profusely and was rushed to the Legon Hospital by the killer and some Vandals… the doctors could not save his life. He was pronounced dead around 1900 hours GMT,” the Old Vandals’ statement said.

Meanwhile, the management of the University of Ghana has called for calm among parents and the general public following the incident, noting that “no threat has been identified which could cause any danger to our students in this respect.”

It further said the Careers and Counseling Centre of the school is on standby to counsel any student who may have been traumatized by the incident.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Old Vandal ‘killer’ remanded; case adjourned to January 9 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He has since advised the general public not to associate the incident with current students of the school.

[contextly_sidebar id=”H7pbFvgvorJtRde0fubBmRSRdB0exUSJ”]Speaking an interview with Citi News’ Caleb Kudah on Monday, Prof. Oduro Owusu expressed his condolence to the family of the late Martin Tweneboah Kodua, who was stabbed to death at Commonwealth Hall on Saturday evening.

“It is unfortunate. We extend our condolences to the bereaved family. We are assisting the police to investigate the matter. We’ve also assured the community that lives of the students and lives of the people on campus are not in danger or in any way affected by the incident,” he said.

Challenging claims that the incident occurred due to lax security on campus, the Vice-Chancellor said: “this has absolutely nothing to do with security on campus…we have ensured that there is maximum security.”

He added that “This has nothing to do with students, they are not students. The hall management is trying to look at it. They are meeting and they are also doing their own investigations but no one should try and drag our students into this.”

Status of suspect

Many have claimed that the suspect is an old student of the University of Ghana and affiliated to Commonwealth Hall, thus the Old Vandals, hence his presence and active participation in almost all events of the Hall.

However, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana says information available to him indicates that the suspect was never a student of the University.

When Citi News’ Caleb Kudah pointed out that suspicions were that the suspect was never a student of the school, the Vice-Chancellor said, “That is the information we have and it is absolutely true.”

Background

The suspect is reported to have stabbed an Old Vandal, Martin Tweneboah Koduah, alias Chief Tipsy multiple times on Saturday night, at the charging grounds of Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana.

The incident occurred after a heated argument between the two while they traveled back to campus from a funeral of an Old Vandal.

According to the Old Vandals Association, the two were separated on several occasions during their heated arguments on the bus.

“The argument became heated and the two had to be separated on several occasions by others. It went on and on. So, when we got to Atomic Junction, the driver was advised to stop and the two were thrown out of the bus. Others joined them.”

“When they got to the Hall, they had not stopped. It was at this time that the killer allegedly grabbed the knife of the khebab seller and cut the victim several times with it. The victim bled profusely and was rushed to the Legon Hospital by the killer and some Vandals… the doctors could not save his life. He was pronounced dead around 1900 hours GMT,” the Old Vandals’ statement said.

Meanwhile, the management of the University of Ghana has called for calm among parents and the general public following the incident, noting that “no threat has been identified which could cause any danger to our students in this respect.”

It further said the Careers and Counseling Centre of the school is on standby to counsel any student who may have been traumatized by the incident.

The Police have said they will immediately process the suspect for court when investigations are concluded.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Old Vandal ‘killer’ has never been our student – Legon VC appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The management in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Stella Amoa, said the incident in no way threatened security or the safety of students on the school’s campus, adding that the two individuals involved in the bloody skirmish were not current students of the school.

There have been concerns about how old students or non-students of the University often find themselves mingling with current students in the school.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hBZDe8MdSNQjXdQnfsCkDHUkJYD6v3B0″]“Management wishes to assure members of the university community, alumni, parents and the general public that the incident is an isolated case and no threat has been identified which could cause any danger to our students in this respect.  Management would also like to state at this stage that neither the victim nor the alleged perpetrator are current students of the University,” it said.

While extending its condolence to the family of the victim, who has been named as Martin Tweneboah Kodua, the school said it was saddened by the development.

It however said the school’s Careers and Counseling Center is on standby to counsel students who may have been traumatized by the incident.

Commonwealth Hall murder suspect faces court

Meanwhile, the prime suspect in the case will soon be put before court.

The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, ASP Afia Tenge, has said the suspect will be put before court as soon as investigations into the matter are concluded.

The suspect, who has only been named as George, is currently in the grips of the Legon District Police assisting in investigations.

Background

The suspect is reported to have stabbed an Old Vandal, whose name was given as Martin Tweneboah Koduah, alias Chief Tipsy multiple times on Saturday night, at the charging grounds of Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana.

The incident occurred after a heated argument between the two while they traveled back to campus from a funeral of an Old Vandal.

According to the Old Vandals Association, the two were separated on several occasions during their heated arguments on the bus.

“The argument became heated and the two had to be separated on several occasions by others. It went on and on. So, when we got to Atomic Junction, the driver was advised to stop and the two were thrown out of the bus. Others joined them.”

“When they got to the Hall, they had not stopped. It was at this time that the killer allegedly grabbed the knife of the khebab seller and cut the victim several times with it. The victim bled profusely and was rushed to the Legon Hospital by the killer and some Vandals… the doctors could not save his life. He was pronounced dead around 1900 hours GMT,” the Old Vandals’ statement said.

Meanwhile, the management of the University of Ghana has called for calm among parents and the general public following the incident, noting that “no threat has been identified which could cause any danger to our students in this respect.”

It further said the Careers and Counseling Centre of the school is on standby to counsel any student who may have been traumatized by the incident.

Below is the UG management’s full statement:

UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT’S STATEMENT ON INCIDENT AT COMMONWEALTH HALL ON DECEMBER 9, 2017 RESULTING IN A CASUALTY

Management has learnt with shock a gruesome incident that occurred at Commonwealth Hall in the early evening of Saturday, 9 December 2017.   One person who sustained severe injuries was rushed to the University Hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries leading to his death.

The University is saddened by this and would like to extend condolences to the family of the victim.

The Police are investigating the incident and Management is expecting a report as soon as the investigation is completed.

Management wishes to assure members of the university community, alumni,  parents and the general public that the incident is an isolated case and no threat has been identified which could cause any danger to our students in this respect.  Management would also like to state at this stage that neither the victim nor the alleged perpetrator are current students of the University.

The Careers and Counseling Centre is on standby to counsel any student who may have been traumatized by this incident.

Further details will be provided as they become available.

STELLA A. AMOA

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Our students are safe despite Commonwealth Hall murder – UG appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, ASP Afia Tenge, has said the suspect will be put before court as soon as investigations into the matter are concluded.

The suspect, who has only been named as George, is currently in the grips of the Legon District Police assisting in investigations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”paMkxctBL1dnvHkna0Em08Y1ufVXWxXr”]”The suspect, in this case, George Osei Mensah was arrested and he is being kept in Police custody where he is assisting us in the investigation. The deceased died out of a stab by either a knife or a bottle, which the police is still investigating. That was as a result of an argument that ensued between the two parties… He is still in detention and assisting in investigations so when we are doing with our investigations, we will make sure we arraigned him before a court,” ASP Afia Tenge said.

Background

The suspect is reported to have stabbed an Old Vandal, whose name was given as Nathaniel Tweneboah Koduah, alias Chief Tipsy multiple times on Saturday night, at the charging grounds of Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana.

The incident occurred after a heated argument between the two while they traveled back to campus from a funeral of an Old Vandal.

According to the Old Vandals Association, the two were separated on several occasions during their heated arguments on the bus.

“The argument became heated and the two had to be separated on several occasions by others. It went on and on. So, when we got to Atomic Junction, the driver was advised to stop and the two were thrown out of the bus. Others joined them.”

“When they got to the Hall, they had not stopped. It was at this time that the killer allegedly grabbed the knife of the khebab seller and cut the victim several times with it. The victim bled profusely and was rushed to the Legon Hospital by the killer and some Vandals… the doctors could not save his life. He was pronounced dead around 1900 hours GMT,” the Old Vandals’ statement said.

Meanwhile, the management of the University of Ghana has called for calm among parents and the general public following the incident, noting that “no threat has been identified which could cause any danger to our students in this respect.”

It further said the Careers and Counseling Centre of the school is on standby to counsel any student who may have been traumatized by the incident.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Commonwealth Hall murder suspect faces court appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The incident over the weekend, which nearly marred the school’s matriculation of freshers ensued after a member of the Commonwealth Hall allegedly manhandled a member of Mensah Sarbah Hall.

Members from both halls pelted stones at each other resulting in the destruction of a parked Toyota Corolla vehicle on campus.

Two other cars including that of a senior member of staff, were also vandalized in the process.

It took the timely intervention of the police and some security officials on campus to bring the situation under control.

The Head of Public Affairs of the school, Stella Amoah, in an interview with Citi News described the incident as “unfortunate”.

She said, “The Vice Chancellor delivered an address at the ceremony and made mention of that unfortunate happening. He said that the university will investigate the matter and anyone found culpable will have to go through the sanctions that the university has for such behaviour.”

She added that, the Vice Chancellor has tasked the Dean of Students Affairs to set up a committee that will look into the matter and come out with a report on details of the happening before a decision is taken on what action to take.

The incident was the second of such clashes to have happened between the residents of Commonwealth Hall and Mensah Sarbah Hall, who are viewed as arch-rivals.

Such clashes usually occur when residents of rival halls escort freshers from their respective halls to the matriculation venue. Stella Amoah revealed that, the school will be compelled to ban the ritual of accompanying freshers if such violent attacks persist.

She said such clashes hurt the enviable image of the university hence the university will take punitive measures against the perpetrators to guard its image.

The University of Ghana was currently ranked as the 7th best university in Africa and the best in West Africa and Ghana.

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By: Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post UG vows to punish perpetrators of matriculation clashes appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The clashes were between students of Commonwealth hall and Mensah-Sarbah hall.

According to eyewitnesses, the clashes began when a member of Mensah-Sarbah was attacked by Commonwealth boys which led to a retaliatory reaction from the Mensah-Sarbah camp.

Reports indicate that the procession of some level 100 students to the Matriculation ground was ongoing when students began throwing stones.

According to Citi News’ sources, commonwealth is accusing Sarbah of inviting ‘Katangas’ to reinforce their base in anticipation of a clash.”

The commonwealth hall camp were clad in red while their arch rivals  sarbah hall were clad in black.

The two camps fired musketry amid chanting war songs. They also wielded broken seats, stones, slabs.

A  vehicle was also set ablaze in the process.

Police and Fire service personnel eventually arrived on the scene, in front of Mensah-Sarbah hall, to calm tensions and prevent an escalation of the clashes.The fire in the burning car was also put out.

Police presence has currently been deployed to reinforce security in the school.

Commonwealth, Sarbah hall rivalry 

There is a long standing rivalry between the two traditional halls which is demonstrated in sportsmanship and academics.

This however turns bitter and sometimes bloody on occasions like matriculation. Last year, similar attacks occured.

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Photo credit: Radio Univers

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Commonwealth, Sarbah Hall students clash on UG campus; set car ablaze appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.