Regional News of Sunday, 1 February 2004

Source: GNA

Butcher remanded for assaulting policewoman

Obuasi, Feb 1, GNA - Fuseni Mohammed, a 25 year-old Obuasi butcher, who allegedly insulted and assaulted Policewoman near the Obuasi Central Police Station, has been remanded in prison custody for two weeks by the Obuasi Circuit Court.

The Court, presided over by Mr Justice Edward Akwasi Asante, also issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Briama Kasim, an accomplice said to be on the run.

Mohammed, also known as Alabira, who pleaded not guilty would re-appear on Monday, February 9.

Chief Inspector N.Y. Agumah told the Court that on January 17, Police Constable Serwaa Bonsu who was returning from the Station around 8 PM passed by the two accused persons standing behind the main Police block near her quarters.

After passing by, the Policewoman heard a hiss sound and she stopped on seeing that Briama was beckoning her to come. The Prosecution said the Policewoman questioned why they should allow her to pass by them before calling her to come back and asked Briama to come if he had something to tell her.

This, according to the prosecutor, infuriated them and Fuseini who asked Briama to call her for him, rained insults on the Policewoman, saying, "Stupid Policewoman, if you are a Policewoman, who are you". The Prosecution said when the woman wanted to know why he was insulting her Fuseini advanced, held her dress close to the chest and slapped her in the face.

Witnesses, according to the Prosecution, came to her aid but while returning to the station to make a report, the butchers followed her, saying, "nobody can arrest us".

Counsel for Fuseini, Mr Oduro Konadu, applied for bail on the basis that the facts of the case as presented by the prosecution did not represent the real situation as the accused persons were jokingly chatting with the complainant.