Abdul Rahman Mohammed was additionally ordered to pay the full cost of the stolen salt after serving the jail term.

He pleaded guilty to the offence.

The convict had been instructed by his employer to transport the commodity from Aflao to Kumasi, but he decided to sell the entire consignment at Nima, and used the proceeds to travel to Libya.

Police Inspector Eric Asare, told the court presided by Mrs. Lydia Osei Marfo that this happened in year 2013. The truck was later found abandoned in Niger in November 2015, and it was brought back into the country.

The prosecution said Mohammed was spotted at Aboabo in Kumasi on May 27, and he was arrested.

He had earlier pleaded with the court to deal leniently with him as his trip to Libya turned out to be a complete wasteful adventure.

–

Source: GNA

The post Driver jailed eight years for stealing salt appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Ministry of Information in a statement copied to citifmonline.com said that the Principal State Attorney in the case did not consult the Attorney General before dropping the charges against the accused.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0cgUMBd1A6UcnGnoZ8srgLzWg8qdMIiA”]According to the ministry, it has launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the prosecutor declaring that the AG did not have sufficient evidence against the accused persons.

It said the action by the State Attorney may amount to “a breach of internal procedures on matters of this nature.”

A Kumasi Circuit court, presided over by Her Honour, Patricia Amponsah was forced to discharge the accused persons and dismissed the case of the Delta Force members after the prosecutor said it had instructions from the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, to drop charges against the accused because they had insufficient evidence.

The 8 members of Delta Force were standing trial for allegedly storming the court premises earlier this year to free 13 of their members who were standing trial on trial for vandalizing property at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and assaulting the Regional Security Coordinator because they were against his appointment.

But the Ministry of Information said, the decision by the State attorney was taken on the prosecutor’s own accord.

It added that government was committed to ensuring that the rule of law is properly applied in the matter.

It further revealed that it will deal with persons whose actions in the matter “bring the work and commitment of the department into disrepute” and assured that it will take the necessary measures to remedy the situation in the interest of the Republic.

Read the ministry’s full statement below:

The Attorney General’s department is investigating circumstances under which a Principal State Attorney in Kumasi decided without recourse to advice from higher authority on a matter of high public interest of this nature to drop charges against persons arrested in connection with disturbances in a Kumasi Magistrate’s court in April this year.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the decision was taken without recourse even to the Director of Public Prosecution and may amount to a breach of internal procedures on matters of this nature.

While the department awaits the full results of this investigation we will like to reiterate our commitment to ensuring that the rule of law is applied at all times and persons found culpable of any breaches that bring the work and commitment of the department into disrepute will be sanctioned and the appropriate remedies adopted in the interest of the Republic.

Signed
Information Ministry

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Attorney didn’t consult AG before dropping Delta Force charges – Gov’t appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the prosecutor, ACP Okyere Darko, the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, had instructed the police to stop pursuing the matter because they had insufficient evidence against the accused persons.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ekPR2JZg2ApVtJ8scTD2rhYCioWOvUvm”]The court, presided over by Her Honour, Patricia Amponsah, therefore discharged the accused and dismissed the case.

The 8 members of Delta Force were standing trial for allegedly storming the court premises earlier this year to free 13 of their members who were charged with conspiracy to assault for vandalizing property at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council and assaulting the Regional Security Coordinator because they were against his appointment.

One of the freed persons told Citi News that he was excited about the judgment and called on the government to make the necessary provisions for them to cater for themselves and their families since they put down their lives to ensure it secured power.

Meanwhile, lawyer for the accused, Matthew Appiah, has said that they were not surprised about the prosecutor’s decision since they had insisted that there was no evidence to prove that the accused were indeed responsible for the illegality.

“As we have already indicated, there was no evidence to show that the accused persons were the people who forcibly entered the courtroom on that fateful day… the docket was sent to the AG’s department and they studied it so that is their conclusion,” he said.

–

By: Lauretta Timah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post AG drops charges against 8 Delta Force court raiders appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to a member of the group, Ernest Appiah Dankwa, they felt betrayed when their members were remanded into police custody.

Speaking on Kumasi-based Silver FM on Friday, Appiah Dankwa said: “our leaders urged us to go to the court because they’ve sorted the case out already.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”ImTxWM2boTUwwPD64D9WNxGvJmTIrpgs”]“We thought that the issue had already been resolved at the court. Our leaders told us that, our executives were already at the court dealing with the case; but little did we know that our people will be remanded on the day. So we argued that if that be the case, then, all of us should be arrested because we have over 1,000 members in the Delta Force, but not all of us went to the court,” he added.

He further lamented that, the Delta Force worked hard for the governing NPP to come into office, after being in opposition for eight years, hence it was wrong for the government to ignore their calls.

“…We worked for the party [NPP] to come into office…the boys stood up and fought to bring the party into office, places we were not supposed to go we went, and for eight years we left our work and laid down our lives for the party only for you Kan Dapaah, National Security Minister, to claim that you don’t have anything to do with us, and that we should tender in our certificates.”

“In 2008, when the party went into opposition, you claimed that you are done with politics. So who should suffer for the party to come into power for you to get a position and claim that you only work with verified certificates. So we have decided that Delta Force, if that is how they will deal with us, we will all cross carpet and join the NDC, and we shall see what will happen in 2020,” Appiah Dankwa added.

Background

Members of the Delta Force stormed a Kumasi Circuit court on Thursday, and vandalized some court properties as well as freeing 13 of their members, who were facing trial for allegedly harassing the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.

The 13 escaped after some members of the vigilante group monitoring the court proceedings, sparked confusion during the hearing.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Police command in statement revealed that the fugitives have reported themselves to Police and are currently in custody.

Charged for causing disturbances

The 13 Delta Force members were facing charges for causing disturbances at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council after the group’s raiding of the Regional Coordinating Council on March 24, 2017, where they were alleged to have assaulted the newly appointed Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.

The judge had ruled that the 13 be remanded to reappear before the court on the 20th of April, 2017 after charges of conspiracy to assault a public officer and causing unlawful damage.

Following the confusion at the court, the Ashanti Regional Police Command also arrested eight members of the group who attacked the court.

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Our leaders betrayed us by allowing prosecution – Delta Force appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This is according to a release from the Ashanti Regional Police command cited by Citi News.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7Uf7frSQXXkkinu3KJwguUIRLDeDBQkY”]The 13 escaped after some other members of the vigilante group overwhelmed police at the Kumasi Circuit Court on Thursday during their hearing.

Their counterparts vandalised some court property, and almost assaulted the Judge, Mary Senkyere but for police

The 13 Delta Force members were facing charges for causing disturbances at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council after group’s raiding of the Regional Coordinating Council on March 24, 2017, where they were alleged to have assaulted the newly appointed Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.

The judge had ruled that the 13 be remanded to reappear before the court on the 20th of April, 2017 after charges of conspiracy to assault a public officer and causing unlawful damage.

Following the confusion at the court, the Ashanti Regional Police Command also arrested eight members of the group who attacked the court.

The eight were arrested around the Asafo overhead close to the Prempeh Assembly Hall in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi.

GBA condemns ‘sickening’ attack on Judiciary

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) condemned the Delta Force attack on the Judiciary as horrifying and charged the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate the incident.

The association warned that the incident was ushering in an era of anarchy, chaos and lawlessness which must not be condoned.

It stressed that such indulging such dastardly acts were a threat to Ghana’s Judiciary must not be tolerated or allowed under our democratic dispensation.

“The GBA condemns in no uncertain terms this blatant disregard for the orders of a duly constituted court of law and attack on the judge in the discharge of her lawful duties. This is an affront to the independence of the Judiciary and an attack on the rule of law,” the association asserted in a statement following the incident.

–

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

The post Escaped Delta Force members report themselves to police appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the failure of the Association to condemn the attacks will nor auger well for the country’s judiciary.

[contextly_sidebar id=”bG3OClFobvgUxHd30ySL6GdQOPq5Lnze”]Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Thursday, Mr. Amaliba said officials of Ghana’s courts must speak up against the act.

“This cannot be allowed to go without a comment from the Ghana Bar Association. The Ghana Bar Association has only been in front of advocacy to protect the sanctity for the judiciary. I expected that by now the Ghana Bar Association would have delivered a statement be it preliminary; to condemn those actions. I think that the Ghana Bar Association’s failure to condemn the action as it is now, and if their statement comes later than this time, I think it will not be right.”

Some members of a vigilante group affiliated to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Delta Force, stormed the Kumasi Circuit Court today [Thursday], and freed the members of their group who were facing charges for causing disturbances at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.

The group vandalized some court property, and almost assaulted the Judge, Mary Senkyire. The judge had ruled that they be remanded to reappear before the court on the 20th of April, 2017 after charges of conspiracy to assault a public officer and causing unlawful damage.

Amaliba said lawyers such as Sam Okudzeto and Ayikoi Otoo must add their voice to the public condemnation of the action to protect the sanctity of the courts.

“I’m also calling on senior lawyers who commented on the Montie issue to as it were condemn this. I’m talking about senior lawyer Sam Okudzeto and senior lawyer Ayikoi Otoo. Their voices, their silence is so deafening. And I think we as officials of the court must condemn this action in its totality.”

He noted that, if indications of aversion is not demonstrated by key stakeholders, court officials in other parts of the country stand at risk of facing similar attacks.

He also suggested that, the individuals who stormed the premises of the court and set their colleagues free be prosecuted, and separately charged for contempt of court possibly in Accra, while the substantive case of the 13 who were facing trial in the Ashanti Regional capital be made to face the law there.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post GBA must condemn Delta Force attack immediately – Amaliba appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The arrest comes hours after some members of the group stormed a Kumasi Circuit Court today [Thursday], and freed some 13 colleagues who were facing charges for causing disturbances at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council.

The Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yaw Nketiah-Yeboah, confirmed the latest arrest to Citi News.

ASP YAW Nketiah Yeboah said the eight were arrested around the Asafo overhead close to the Prempeh Assembly Hall.

The 13 who were freed today [Thursday], were detained in connection with the group’s raiding of the Regional Coordinating Council on March 24, 2017, where they were alleged to have assaulted the newly appointed Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.

After the judge’s decision to remand the suspects, the members said they were not going to allow the ruling to stand, and demanded that the 13 leave the court with them.

According to Citi News‘ reporter who was in court, the judge stood in shock at the group’s behaviour, and was on the verge of being assaulted by the vigilante group, before police intervened and ushered her into her chamber.

Meanwhile a bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of  the 13 who stood trial today.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 8 Delta Force members arrested after storming court appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.