Kumasi, May 4, GNA - A Kumasi circuit court on Tuesday granted a five million-cedi bail to John Asante, a taxicab driver, standing trial for removing the beret of a police officer.

He is also facing charges of obstructing traffic, picking passengers at an unauthorised place and failing to produce a driving license.

Asante pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on May 20. Police Chief Inspector Agnes Dinkyini told the court, presided over by Mr Essel Mensah, that the accused was arrested by the police for picking passengers within the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital's roundabout, thereby obstructing the flow of traffic.

She said Police Constable Linda Adarkwa, who was among a police team on duty at the roundabout, was asked by her superiors to escort the accused to the regional office of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) in his taxicab bearing registration number AS 683 S. The court heard that Asante took the policewoman to the Abrepo junction where he suddenly pulled up and with the help of two friends, now on the run, dragged her out of the car.

They also forcibly removed her beret and that it took the intervention of some passers by to retrieve the beret for the policewoman.

According to the prosecution, Asante sped off leaving behind Lance Corporal Adarkwah.

She said the car owner on hearing of the incident handed over the accused to the police.