An Accra circuit court yesterday ordered the trial of five out of the 11 persons who reportedly invaded and ransacked the New Patriotic Party (NPP) office in Accra in absentia.
They are Abdulai Wudu, Kwame Adu Annan, Michael Agoha, Rakia Ali Mohammed and Obed Yawson.
According to the prosecutor, DSP Abraham Annor, the accused persons were aware that the trial was ongoing but failed to come to court.
He said the accused persons had continuously absented themselves from court, adding that they were not prepared to come to court for the hearing.
DSP Annor argued that the 1992 Constitution allows the court to try in absentia a person who refuses to come to court for his or her trial.
Objection
Abdul Aziz Mohammed, lawyer for the accused persons, however, objected to the trial of his clients in absentia, stressing that the posturing of the prosecution was against the rules of natural justice.
He said the same constitution that DSP Annor was quoting has stated that a person ought not to be condemned until that person is fully heard in a trial.
Counsel for the accused persons contended that his clients would suffer injustice.
But the trial judge, Ruby Naa Adjeley Quayson, overruled counsel’s objection and ordered that the accused persons be tried in absentia.
Arrest
Last week, the judge granted a bench warrant request for the immediate arrest of six of the accused persons, including Bismark Osei Danso, 58, the supposed ring leader of the 11-member, gang for failing to appear before the court.
The others were Razak Ebenezer Aduful, Kwame Adu Annan, Michael Agoha, Obed Yawson and Rakia Ali Mohammed (the only woman among them).
Those in court for the trial were Ali Iddris, 24, unemployed; Nii Teiko Ayi-Bontey; Shamzi Dinni and Ben Okyere.
Evidence
Earlier, Sergeant Eric Owusu Yeboah, led in evidence by the prosecutor, tendered the supposed weapons found in the NPP offices.
They were 3 SMG rifles, 36 rounds of ammunition and three new machetes.
Sgt. Yeboah also tendered the basaltic export report on the weapons and red T-shirts with the inscription “United Patriots” with the NPP logo.
Further cross-examination of the police officer has been slated for July 6, 2016.
Motive
According to Danso, a contractor/ex-soldier, popularly called assemblyman, he mobilized eight retired soldiers resident at Kakasunanka near Michelle Camp and Tema, made them dress in military uniforms and took them to the NPP headquarters.
As to where they got the military uniforms for the criminal act and who contracted them, he’s yet to tell the police.
The suspects were charged for unlawful entry, unlawful purpose on private premises and causing unlawful damage to the tune of GH¢28,000.
Danso claimed he was a former assembly member for Odorkor Otitan who was peeved about the development in the party and therefore mobilised soldiers in uniform with military vehicles and with police protection to invade the NPP headquarters.
Speaking in various Ghanaian languages, the accused persons denied the offences against them and were each admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢10,000 with two sureties.
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