Nsawam, Aug. 25, GNA - The Nsawam Circuit Court, presided over by Mrs. Elizabeth Ankumah, last Thursday, granted bail in the sum of 40 million cedis and a surety each to seven persons for rioting at Akyem Apedwa.

The accused persons, Barima Obenakwa Kwarifa the second, 62, businessman, Nana Asentewa Aboagyewaa, 50, Queen of Apedwa, Emmanuel Asare, 66, Secretary, Kwadwo Asare, 75, Kwaku Antwi 69, Kofi Akyiriefi, 69 and Kwaku Buabeng, 70, all farmers will reappear on August 30. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector David Adrah told the court that the accused persons and some others now at large on August sixth attacked the Apedwa Royal Family in the Fanteakwa District with offensive weapons and caused damage to properties, which value was yet to be determined by the police. He said all the accused persons belong to the same Royal family and were residing at Apedwa. Mr Adrah said for some years now, there had been a chieftaincy dispute between Nana Addo Gyekye, Chief of Apedwa, the complainant and Barima Obenakwa Kwarrifa, a businessman who is also aspiring for the stool.

The prosecution said in the morning of August sixth, the accused persons returned from Kibi and armed with offensive weapons attacked and vandalized part of the Apedwahene's palace and caused damage to properties belonging to Nana Gyekye. He said the police went to the scene and arrested the accused persons for investigations. Mr Adrah said in the evening of the same day, four other accused persons who were earlier on granted bail by the court in the sum of 20 million cedis and supporting the chief also armed themselves and attacked the queen in her house and shot through her window in an attempt to kill her but missed. 25 Aug. 07